France will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, President Emmanuel Macron announced on July 24, in a move designed to energize global efforts toward a two-state solution. But the bold strategy has sparked sharp criticism from Israel and the United States.
In a public letter posted on X to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron affirmed France’s intention to lead an international diplomatic shift and rally other countries to follow suit. “True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine,” he wrote, pledging to announce the decision at the UN General Assembly next September.
France, which has Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim populations, would become the first G7 nation—and the most influential Western state—to take this step. Smaller countries such as Spain, Ireland and Norway have already recognised Palestine in recent years.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the proposal as a dangerous concession to terrorism, warning it could facilitate another Iranian-aligned proxy and threaten Israel’s existence. He argued that Palestinians seek to replace Israel rather than co-exist alongside it. Defence Minister Israel Katz called Macron’s plan a disgrace and an explicit surrender to terror.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio likewise strongly criticised the move. On X, he warned France’s announcement was a setback to peace and described it as “a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.” President Donald Trump later dismissed Macron’s initiative as irrelevant, stating: “What he says doesn’t matter.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined other Western leaders in condemning Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and calling Israel’s conduct a breach of international law. Canada reaffirmed its support for a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Diplomatic Implications & Strategic Context
Macron’s move comes amid mounting international frustration over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and diplomatically stalled peace efforts. A planned UN conference on Gaza, initially set for June and now rescheduled for July 28–29, is set to develop a roadmap for post-war recovery and a viable two-state framework. Recognition by France aims to bolster momentum at this conference.
French officials had previously tried to forge a coalition with Britain, Canada, and Arab states to recognise Palestine at the UN meeting—but U.S. opposition thwarted those efforts, prompting France to act independently. Domestic pressure within France, especially from its large Muslim population, has also pushed Macron’s decision.
Although symbolic—since full UN membership for Palestine requires Security Council approval, which would likely be vetoed by the U.S.—France’s move exerts diplomatic pressure and positions it as a European heavyweight demanding action amid renewed global calls for accountability and peace.
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Reactions from Around the World
Palestinian Authority: Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh expressed gratitude, saying France’s decision reinstates the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and supports international law.
European Leaders: Spain, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia welcomed the announcement, lauding France’s shift as a necessary catalyst for other nations to follow. The UK and Germany reaffirmed support for a two-state process but emphasised that formal recognition should be linked to broader peace negotiations.
What It Means Going Forward
The recognition marks a significant diplomatic departure, especially from a major Western power previously cautious about upsetting U.S.–Israel relations.
It increases international pressure on states that have yet to recognise Palestine—including Britain, Germany, and Canada—to consider similar decisions.
While not legally binding, the move is expected to shape the discourse at the upcoming UN General Assembly and the Gaza peace conference, potentially influencing negotiations, reconstruction plans, and future regional leadership.
It highlights growing tension between Western solidarity over Palestinian rights and persistent strategic alignment with Israel.
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