France and its allies recognized Palestine, stunning the United States and Israel. At a high-level summit in New York, six countries officially recognised Palestinian statehood ahead of the annual UN General Assembly. France co-hosted the summit with Saudi Arabia and announced recognition alongside Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco. Leaders described the step as historic and necessary to revive the two-state solution.
Macron Declares France’s Recognition
French President Emmanuel Macron said, “The time has come,” as he announced France’s decision to recognise Palestine. He stressed the international community’s responsibility to preserve the two-state framework. “Today, I declare that France recognises the state of Palestine,” he told the gathering. His remarks drew applause and added momentum to global calls for Palestinian statehood.
Expanding Global Consensus
With these new recognitions, over 80 percent of UN member states now officially recognise Palestine. This figure represents around 147 countries of the 193 UN members. Spain, Norway, and Ireland took the same step last year, with Madrid also sanctioning Israel over its war on Gaza. Pressure continues to mount on Israel as international isolation deepens.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Leaders linked recognition to Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed more than 65,300 Palestinians since October 2023. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that peace is impossible “when one population is the victim of a genocide.” He urged the world to act “in the name of human dignity” to stop the slaughter.
Palestinian Authority’s Appeal
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the conference by video, as US authorities denied him a visa. He welcomed new recognitions and urged countries yet to act to follow suit. Abbas also demanded full Palestinian membership at the United Nations. However, the US veto in the Security Council remains the biggest obstacle.
International Pushback Against Israel
The US and Israel boycotted the summit, with Israel’s UN ambassador dismissing it as a “circus.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres countered that Palestinian statehood is “a right, not a reward.” Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister echoed this sentiment, condemning Israel’s “brutal crimes” in Gaza and violations in the West Bank.
