New Delhi: In a move that many will argue comes far too late in the day, French president Emmanuel Macron has said that that France will recognise Palestine as a state.The announcement comes as Global North sentiment, that had largely been tolerant of Israel’s sustained and brutal strikes on Gaza, now turns against Benjamin Netanyahu over the starvation of thousands in the region.Israel and the US have both decried France’s decision.“Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,” Macron posted on social media on July 25.France is the only country in the powerful G7 grouping of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, to now recognise Palestine as a state.He said that France will make this announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this September.“The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population. Peace is possible,” he said, calling for an “immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.”Macron also included Hamas, the armed group in Palestine, in his announcement.“We must also ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, secure and rebuild Gaza. And finally, we must build the State of Palestine, guarantee its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the region. There is no alternative,” he said.He added that it is French citizens’ responsibility, alongside Israelis, Palestinians, and European and international partners “to prove that peace is possible.”“In light of the commitments made to me by the President of the Palestinian Authority, I have written to him to express my determination to move forward. Trust, clarity, and resolve. We will achieve peace,” he wrote.Among powers in the Global North, France is undoubtedly the biggest to recognise Palestine. More than 140 countries, including India, which was among the first, recognise the state of Palestine.Posting on X, US secretary of state Marco Rubio called the decision “reckless” and said that it “only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace”.US president Donald Trump has earlier said that the US could run Gaza and transform it into a “Riviera of the Middle East”. Such a plan would involve the forceful ouster of Gaza’s original population.Israeli prime minister Netanyahu said the decision rewards “terror.” “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it,” he said in a post on X.“Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel,” he wrote.