France will recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, adding that he hoped it would help bring peace to the region — though Israel denounced the decision.

Macron, who announced the decision on X, published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming France's intention to become the first major Western power to recognize a Palestinian state.

"True to 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 said.

"I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement posted on X that "we strongly condemn President Macron's decision," further stating that "such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became.

"A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.''

The Palestinian Authority welcomed Macron's decision.

''We express our thanks and appreciation'' to Macron, said Hussein Al Sheikh, the vice-president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) under Abbas, in a post on X. ''This position reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination.''

There was no immediate reaction from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, though in a diplomatic cable in June, the U.S. said it opposed any steps that would unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state.

France, home to Europe's largest Jewish and Muslim communities, will become the first major Western country to recognize a Palestinian state, potentially giving greater momentum to a movement so far dominated by smaller nations that are generally more critical of Israel.

France's foreign minister is co-hosting a conference at the UN next week about a two-state solution. Last month, Macron expressed his "determination to recognize the state of Palestine," and he has pushed for a broader movement toward a two-state solution, in parallel with recognition of Israel and its right to defend itself.