
France and Belgium have joined the UK, Portugal, Canada and Australia in formally recognising a Palestinian state, the leaders of the two countries announced on Monday.
“True to the historic commitment of my country to the Middle East, to peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, this is why I declare that today, France recognises the state of Palestine,” French President Emmanuel Macron announced while addressing the United Nations in New York, to loud applause from those in attendance.