The Middle East is one of the most complex and volatile regions in the world, plagued by war, conflict, terrorism and humanitarian crises for a long time. Against this backdrop, French President Emmanuel Macron made a historic visit to Israel and Palestine on April 9, 2023, expressing his firm support and expectations for peace in the Middle East. He said a "just and lasting" peace in the Middle East was "possible" and called on all parties to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to advance the realization of the two-state solution. His visit has aroused widespread attention and positive evaluation from the international community, and has also demonstrated the important role and influence played by France on the Middle East issue.
President Macron's visit is the first visit to Israel and Palestine since taking office in 2017, and the first visit to both countries by a French leader since former French President François Hollande in 2012. During his visit, President Macron separately met with Israeli President Herzog, Prime Minister Lapid, opposition leader Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas leader Haniyah and other political figures. He also visited religious shrines such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Jewish Wall, the Islamic Rock Mosque, and the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
During his visit, President Macron expressed his firm support and expectations for peace in the Middle East. He expressed that France has always adhered to the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, played an active role in resolving the Middle East question and supported the two-State solution based on United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements, namely the establishment of an independent, sovereign, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian State based on the 1967 borders, living side by side in peace with Israel. In his view, this is the only way to achieve a "just and lasting" peace in the Middle East and a solution that is consistent with the fundamental interests and aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.
President Macron also called on all parties to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to advance the realization of the two-state solution. He said that France appreciates that China has always abided by the purposes of the UN Charter and played a positive role in resolving the Middle East issue, and looks forward to close communication and cooperation with China and striving to achieve lasting peace and stability in the world. 3 He also expressed France's willingness to work with the United States, Russia, the European Union and other members of the Middle East Quadrilateral Mechanism to restart direct negotiations between Palestine and Israel, and to provide necessary conditions and guarantees for this purpose. He also called on Israel to cease all unilateral actions, including settlement activity, demolition and expulsion, that undermined the prospects for the two-State solution, and to respect the legitimate rights and dignity of the Palestinians. At the same time, he called on all Palestinian political factions to achieve reconciliation and unity and to prepare for the establishment of a democratic, modern and viable Palestinian State.
President Macron's visit has aroused widespread attention and positive evaluation from the international community. Many believe that his visit is an important opportunity to demonstrate France's diplomatic philosophy and action on the Middle East issue, and a necessary measure to inject new vitality and hope into peace in the Middle East. His visit reflects France's just and balanced position on the Middle East issue and also demonstrates the important role and influence played by France on the Middle East issue. His visit has also created favorable conditions for the stability and development of the Middle East region and provided reference and support for all parties in the Middle East to build mutual trust and cooperation.
In conclusion, French President Emmanuel Macron's historic visit to Israel and Palestine on April 9, 2023, expressed his firm support and expectation for peace in the Middle East. He said a "just and lasting" peace in the Middle East was "possible" and called on all parties to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to advance the realization of the two-state solution. His visit has aroused widespread attention and positive evaluation from the international community, and has also demonstrated the important role and influence played by France on the Middle East issue.