STORY: Some Parisians welcomed on Tuesday (September 23) France's formal recognition of a Palestinian state at a United Nations summit in New York on Monday, joining Britain, Canada and other Western allies in a move condemned by Israel.

President Emmanuel Macron announced the decision on Monday (September 22) during a three-hour session focused on the Gaza conflict, nearly two years into the war.

In Paris, workers cleaned graffiti from a recent pro-Palestinian demonstration on the base of the statue at Place de la Republique, as passers-by and commuters crossed the square.

“I think it’s a step forward that was necessary,” said Pauline Duteil, a retired doctor.

Others expressed frustration at the timing of the move. “I’m one of those who think it’s coming a little too late and that our sense of humanity is being lost,” said Tiefaine Concas, a public sector worker. “We remain in a form of apathy.”

France’s recognition follows similar announcements by Britain and Canada on Sunday (September 21)

Macron outlined a framework for a renewed Palestinian Authority under which France would open an embassy subject to factors such as reforms, a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages taken from Israel and held by Hamas in Gaza.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: VIEWS OF REPUBLIQUE SQUARE / VOX POPS WITH PARISIANS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 23, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. STATUE ON PLACE DE LA REPUBLIQUE SQUARE

2. GRAFFITI READING (French and English): "War on war. Free Palestine. Macron."

3. VARIOUS OF WORKERS CLEANING MONUMENT

4. (SOUNDBITE) (French) RETIRED DOCTOR, PAULINE DUTEIL, SAYING:

"I think it's a step forward that was necessary. For the future, Israel needs to be cornered a little, it needs to stop supplying weapons, it needs to be stifled so that they can become reasonable, basically. We understand that the massacres of October 7 were horrible, but the response is a little inappropriate and, above all, endless. Endless."

5. (SOUNDBITE) (French) IT SPECIALIST, BLAISE (NO SURNAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"I say yes, I say finally we recognise the state of Palestine, we are among the last countries in the world to recognise this state. On the other hand, if we want to stop the genocide, we must take action, concrete action. So it's not just words that are needed, but actions for a people who are being massacred."

6. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PUBLIC SECTOR WORKER, TIEFAINE CONCAS, SAYING:

"I'm one of those who think it's coming a little too late and that our sense of humanity is being lost a little. And now it's here and I think we can be happy about it, but what will it lead to? We can see that we remain in a form of apathy and I'm not sure we expect much from it, apart from having the feeling that there are people dying while we make decisions in hushed offices."

7. REPUBLIQUE SQUARE

8. PARIS TRAFFIC