Croatian President Zoran Milanović attended the International Conference on the Peaceful Resolution of the Palestinian Question at the UN headquarters in New York, where French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France recognises Palestine.
“Palestine should be recognised, and Croatia should do the same. When the proposal comes from the Government to Parliament, I will support it,” Milanović said after the meeting, which focused on advancing a two-state solution.
Commenting on Macron’s move, he stressed that recognition of Palestine is “not a reward or concession, but a right” dating back to UN Resolution 181 of 1947, adding: “Palestine should have had its own state long ago.”
Milanović described Israel as “a murderous regime” and criticised the United States for continuing its strong support. He also claimed Hamas was originally created by Israel to weaken Fatah, much as the U.S. once supported mujahideen.
Croatia joined the final declaration of the New York conference, which was initiated by France and Saudi Arabia. The declaration condemned both Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023 and Israel’s military actions in Gaza that caused civilian casualties, stressing that only a political solution — not war or occupation — can bring lasting peace.