France will recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, President Emmanuel Macron has announced.
In a statement on social media, he said the move was part of his country's commitment to achieving a "lasting peace in the Middle East".
"True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine.
"I will make a formal announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September," Mr Macron wrote on X and Instagram.
Including France, Palestinian statehood is recognised by 142 countries, including Ireland, according to an AFP tally, though Israel and the United States strongly oppose recognition.
France would be the most significant European power to recognise a Palestinian state.
"The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian population," Mr Macron wrote.
"We must finally build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability and enable it, by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East."
The French leader also published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming France's intentions.
Mr Abbas's deputy Hussein al-Sheikh welcomed the news, thanking Mr Macron.
"This position reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state," Mr Sheikh said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the decision "rewards terror" and poses an existential threat to his country.
In a statement, he said the move "risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became" and would be "a launch pad to annihilate Israel - not to live in peace beside it".
"Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel," Mr Netanyahu added.
His deputy, Yariv Levin, described President Macron's announcement as "a black mark on French history and a direct aid to terrorism".
Mr Levin, who is also justice minister, said that France's "shameful decision" means it is now "time to apply Israeli sovereignty" to the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
