French President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s official recognition of the Palestinian state, a move that followed similar recognitions by the United Kingdom and Canada. The announcement was made during a United Nations conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at bolstering support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Macron’s declaration, met with applause from over 140 leaders gathered in the UN General Assembly hall, emphasized France’s historical commitment to peace in the Middle East. Despite the symbolic nature of this recognition, its impact on the ground is uncertain, particularly given the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank. Macron’s announcement came at the beginning of the meeting where several world leaders were expected to speak. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was unable to attend the conference due to the denial of US visas for him and other senior Palestinian officials.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted that statehood for Palestinians is a right, not a privilege, contrasting with the Israeli government’s stance. The Israeli government claims that granting statehood would benefit Hamas, the militant group that initiated a conflict in Gaza. The UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal had also recognized Palestine, with hopes of ten nations doing so in the coming days. The majority of the UN recognizes Palestine, but major Western countries have hesitated, arguing that recognition should only come through negotiations with Israel. The Palestinians have welcomed these steps, hoping for eventual independence.
The Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has opposed the recognition of a Palestinian state, fearing it would empower Hamas. Israel has signaled potential unilateral actions in response, including annexing parts of the West Bank. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric urged the continuation of efforts to achieve a two-state solution, regardless of Israeli actions. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump to discuss Israel’s response to the growing recognition of a Palestinian state. The Trump administration opposes the recognition and blames it for disrupting ceasefire talks with Hamas. The Palestinian political landscape is divided, with Abbas’s internationally recognized Palestinian Authority governing parts of the West Bank. France and Saudi Arabia have proposed a phased plan, supported by the UN General Assembly, for a reformed Palestinian Authority to govern the West Bank and Gaza with international support. Israel argues that the Palestinian Authority is not fully committed to peace and accuses it of promoting extremism. Hamas has indicated a potential acceptance of a state based on the 1967 borders.
Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, mediated by the United States, stalled due to violence and Israeli settlement expansion. Supporters of the two-state solution believe that without a Palestinian state, Israel will have to choose between the status quo, where millions of Palestinians live under military occupation without equal rights, or a bi-national state.