President Emmanuel Macron announced that France is officially recognizing Palestine as a state, following the UK and Canada in this diplomatic move. This significant decision occurred during a joint United Nations conference led by France and Saudi Arabia. The aim was to garner increased backing for the two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Macron’s declaration received enthusiastic applause from over 140 leaders assembled at the UN General Assembly. He highlighted France’s enduring commitment to fostering peace in the Middle East. While the immediate practical effects of this recognition are uncertain, especially considering the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza and expansion of settlements in the West Bank, its symbolic impact is considerable.
The announcement was made as the conference began, with speeches anticipated from numerous world leaders. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was unable to attend because he and numerous other senior Palestinian officials were denied US visas. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that statehood is a right for Palestinians, not a privilege, which conflicts with the Israeli government’s position. The UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal have recognized Palestine, and it is hoped that ten nations will do so in the coming days. Approximately three-quarters of the UN already recognizes Palestine, but leading Western countries have until now hesitated, stating that recognition should only come through negotiations with Israel. Palestinians have greeted these developments positively, envisioning them as steps toward eventual independence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government opposed this recognition of a Palestinian state before the war began. Now, it claims such a move would benefit Hamas. Israel has indicated potential unilateral actions, including taking control of parts of the West Bank. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric dismissed such threats, stating that efforts to achieve a two-state solution should continue, regardless of Israeli actions. Netanyahu plans to meet with President Donald Trump to discuss Israel’s response. The Trump administration is also against the increasing recognition of a Palestinian state and holds it responsible for disrupting ceasefire talks with Hamas. The Palestinian political system is divided, with Abbas’s internationally recognized Palestinian Authority leading and administering portions of the West Bank. France and Saudi Arabia have put together a phased plan, backed by the UN General Assembly, that will have a reformed Palestinian Authority governing the West Bank and Gaza with international assistance. Israel argues the Palestinian Authority isn’t fully dedicated to peace and charges it with promoting extremism. Hamas has indicated a willingness to accept a state based on the 1967 borders.
Peace negotiations, brokered by the United States, between Israel and Palestinians were repeatedly halted by violence and Israel’s expansion of settlements. Advocates of a two-state solution say that if a Palestinian state isn’t established, Israel will be forced to decide between the current situation, where millions of Palestinians live under military occupation without equal rights, and a bi-national state.
