Macron declared that France now recognizes Palestine as an independent state. His announcement drew applause from more than 140 heads of state and senior officials present at the special summit, which France co-chaired alongside Saudi Arabia. Israel had repeatedly warned France and other nations not to move forward, with senior officials warning that the decision undermined peace efforts. Tensions remainIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated Sunday that he opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, pledging instead to accelerate settlement construction. The United Nations regards those numbers as credible.