STORY: Palestinians in the streets of Hebron welcomed France's announcement that it intends to recognise a Palestinian state.

Residents on Friday (July 25) said that France must be 'brave and rally and mobilise on this matter and not be alone in this picture.'

French President Emmanuel said on Thursday (July 24) that France intends to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, adding that he hoped it would help bring peace to the Middle East.

The announcement was welcomed by Palestinians and sparked anger from Israel and is likely to get a tough response from Washington.

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.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Palestinians welcome Macron's support for statehood, urge others to follow

VIDEO SHOWS: PALESTINIANS IN HEBRON REACTING TO FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS INTENTION TO RECOGNIZE A PALESTINIAN STATE

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: HEBRON, WEST BANK (JULY 25, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF COFFEE SELLER STALL IN STREET

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT OF HEBRON, SUHEIL NASSERALDIN, SAYING:

"The decision that France talked about yesterday, with regards to us, we wish to have a Palestinian state and the decision that France has taken is a bold decision - however will other countries, that control the world, accept this brave decision? We want every person to call on every nation, every country - If France has given us the decision, it's a brave decision, it must rally and mobilise on this matter and not be alone in this picture."

3. PEOPLE WALKING, CARS IN STREET

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT OF HEBRON, SUHEIL NASSERALDIN, SAYING:

"We are calling on the world to go with this decision because it is a good decision that protects the Palestinian people from what they are going through. Because our people have been under occupation for 70 years."

5. VARIOUS OF STREET SELLERS

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT OF HEBRON, MUNTHER AL-NATSHEH, SAYING:

"With regards to the Palestinian people, Europe in particular, has let us down a lot. Right now there is slaughter and mass genocide in Gaza, in the northern West Bank, in Palestine, (and) we have not heard anything from the Europeans. Especially at the beginning of the war on Gaza that began after October 7 - France had a tough stance regarding the Palestinian issue and was going to send aircraft carriers. France has always been a hesitant country, because the U.S. administration imposes on it its own agenda, a specific agenda, the economic situation, unlike the United States, Germany and Europe. So it always goes back to the European Union, the mother (referring to the EU). But in terms of France, for us as Palestinians, it is a good thing that they recognise Palestine as a state because it is our right, a fundamental right. And this is a positive thing. And I hope that the French position remains firm on this issue."

7. CARS IN STREET