France and 14 other Western countries have called on countries around the world to take action to recognize a Palestinian state.

This was announced by France's top diplomat Jean-Noël Barrot, AFP reported.

The foreign ministers of 15 countries made a joint statement after the conference in New York late on July 29. France and Saudi Arabia co-chaired the conference, which aimed to revive the two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians.

"In New York, together with 14 other countries, France is making a collective appeal: we express our desire to recognize the State of Palestine and invite those who have not yet done so to join us," Barre wrote on his social media profile.

Last week, President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would officially recognize the Palestinian state in September. His decision provoked strong opposition from Israel and the United States.

France hopes to build momentum around the official recognition of Palestine.

On July 29, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom would officially recognize the state of Palestine in September unless Israel took various "substantial steps," including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza.

Sturmer's move, combined with that of Paris, will make the two European allies the first G7 countries to recognize the Palestinian state.

In their statement, 15 countries, including Spain, Norway, and Finland, confirmed their "unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution."

Nine of the signatories that have not yet recognized Palestine expressed their "readiness or positive intention of their countries" to do so, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

During the conference, 17 countries plus the European Union and the Arab League joined calls for Hamas to disarm and end its rule in Gaza in an attempt to end the devastating war in the Palestinian territory. | BGNES