Lyon Mayor Grégory Doucet calls on Emmanuel Macron to recognize the Palestinian state

" Mr. President of the Republic... " In a letter posted on social media on Tuesday, June 17, Lyon's Green mayor, Grégory Doucet, called on Emmanuel Macron to " officially recognize the State of Palestine ." His message was displayed at the entrance to City Hall, along with a banner reading "Immediate ceasefire in Gaza," "Release the hostages," "Respect international law," and "Recognition of the State of Palestine."

Recognition of the Palestinian state had been considered for this Wednesday, June 18, by Emmanuel Macron during a conference on the two-state solution, which was to be held in New York, from the headquarters of the United Nations. The escalation between Iran and Israel has since postponed the event " for logistical and security reasons ," according to the official version.

Read also: Has the City of Lyon decided to dedicate the year 2025 to Palestine?

A postponement that " causes deep concern " for Grégory Doucet, who added: " This meeting was expected as a historic turning point ," " an essential step towards a political solution to the conflict ." The French president nevertheless assured that " a date will be re-set (...) as soon as possible " for this conference, which could make France one of the approximately 150 countries to have recognized the Palestinian state.

In his letter, Grégory Doucet reaffirms " the City of Lyon's resolute support for this process of justice and peace. It is time for France to write a just, strong page that lives up to its values ." As a reminder, the Gaza Ministry of Health recently announced that more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip in twenty months. " 14,500 children have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war," Grégory Doucet also emphasizes.