JAKARTA — Indonesia on Saturday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine, urging other nations to follow France’s lead.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry issued a statement emphasizing that France’s move “is a positive path to preserve the future prospect of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine within its 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital under the Two-State Solution.”

The ministry reiterated Indonesia's longstanding support for Palestinian statehood and urged “all countries who have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to follow France’s path.”

Macron announced on Thursday that France would officially recognize Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly in September.

He expressed his commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, stating, “In line with our historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.”

The announcement was echoed by Germany and the UK on Friday, as both nations reaffirmed their opposition to any attempts to impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories.

Currently, 149 of the 193 UN member states recognize Palestine as a state. — Agencies