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The announcement by President Emmanuel Macron comes as the world leaders meet to revive the long-stalled two-state solution.

France has recognised a Palestinian state, joining several Western countries, ahead of the annual UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

Recognition by Australia, Britain, Canada and Portugal on Sunday piled pressure on Israel as it intensifies its genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, and turned the Palestinian enclave to ruins.

The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has criticised the recognition by Western governments, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying the move will “embolden [Hamas]” and make it harder to end the war.

Palestine is expected to top the agenda of the UNGA, to be attended by more than 140 world leaders. But Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas won’t be able to attend as the US denied him a visa.

More soon.