France has announced it will recognize the state of Palestine, a move that could shift discussions about the Middle East’s future.

France will officially recognize the state of Palestine, "true to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East," Emmanuel Macron said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday his country would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September, the most powerful European nation to announce such a move.While France would be the most significant European power to recognise a Palestinian state,

Trump on Friday dismissed Macron’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state — a gentler response than sharp condemnation from Marco Rubio and other top Republicans, who blasted the move.

President Donald Trump dismissed France’s recognition of Palestine as a state on Friday, saying it "doesn’t matter" and "doesn’t carry any weight."

Dozens of pro-Palestinian activists waved flags and unfurled banners on Wednesday as the Tour de France peloton rode through Dieulefit, a southeastern French town honoured as a "Town of the Just" for sheltering Jewish people during World War Two.