RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has welcomed a statement by France’s President Emmanuel Macron that his country would recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.

“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 posted on social media on Thursday evening.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry responded in a statement on Friday: “The Kingdom commends this historic decision, which reaffirms the international community’s consensus on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

“The Kingdom underscores the importance of continued efforts by states to implement international resolutions and uphold international law.”

Saudi Arabia is also renewing its call for other countries, who have not done so, to recognize a Palestinian state, the Foreign Ministry stated.

A total of 142 countries now support Palestinian statehood, according to an AFP tally.

This comes amid the Israeli regime’s devastating assault on Gaza which has killed thousands and displaced millions, and where it faces charges of war crimes and genocide, including starvation.

An Israeli-backed organization distributing aid has been accused of shooting unarmed civilians trying to get food.

The UN said 875 people had been killed over the past six weeks near the aid sites created by Israel.

Peace negotiations to end the war and exchange prisoners and hostages appeared to have collapsed on Thursday night after US President Donald Trump recalled his negotiators.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said: “We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.”

Hamas said they were surprised by Witkoff’s comments but would be willing to continue negotiations.