French President Emmanuel Macron was likely motivated to declare his intent to recognize Palestine by a desire to quell Islamic separatism in his own country. The decision, announced on Thursday, is a break from the ranks of the European establishment,

The leaders of Britain, France and Germany demanded Israel allow unrestricted aid into Gaza to end a “humanitarian catastrophe," after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will become the first major Western power to recognize a Palestinian state.

The move to formalise France's recognition of Palestine, announced on Thursday, sparked immediate backlash from Israel and the US, while it was welcomed by several European and Arab leaders.View on eu