French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France will formally recognize a Palestinian state during the upcoming UN General Assembly in September, making France the most powerful European nation to take this step. Currently, at least 142 countries recognize or plan to recognize Palestinian statehood, according to an AFP tally. However, Israel and the United States fiercely opposed the step and warned it will reward terrorism.
Macron stated that the “urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian population.” He emphasized the need to build a viable State of Palestine, which would contribute to the security of all in the Middle East, expressing hope that this recognition would lead to peace and stability in the region.
Israeli and US Response
Israel reacted swiftly to Macron’s announcement, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the decision, stating it “rewards terror” and poses an existential threat to Israel. He warned that this recognition “risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became,” which would serve as “a launch pad to annihilate Israel—not to live in peace beside it.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Macron’s decision, calling it a “reckless decision that only serves Hamas propaganda.” He emphasized that this announcement “is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th,” referencing the Islamist militant group’s attack on Israel in 2023, which ignited the ongoing war in Gaza.
In contrast, senior Palestinian Authority official Hussein al-Sheikh welcomed Macron’s pledge, stating that it “reflects France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state.” Hamas also praised Macron’s announcement, calling it a “positive step in the right direction” toward justice for the Palestinian people.
Hamas urged all countries, particularly European nations that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine, to follow France’s lead. The organization emphasized the importance of international support for Palestinian self-determination.
Global Support for the Decision
While France stands as the most significant European power to recognize a Palestinian state, other nations have hinted at similar intentions. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a call with counterparts in Germany and France to discuss efforts to halt the fighting, stating that a ceasefire would “put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state.”
On the streets of the occupied West Bank, Palestinians expressed optimism about France’s announcement. Mahmoud al-Ifranji described it as “a moral commitment” and a “political victory for the Palestinian people.” Another resident, Nahed Abu Taima, expressed hope that France’s decision would inspire other countries to recognize Palestine.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry called Macron’s announcement “historic” and urged other countries to follow suit. Moreover, Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Harris described France’s move as “the only lasting basis for peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Norway, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have all announced recognition of Palestinian statehood since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who supports Palestinian statehood, welcomed Macron’s announcement, stating, “Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. The two-state solution is the only solution.”
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
International concern is mounting regarding the plight of over two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, as the ongoing conflict has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with warnings of mass starvation. However, Israel has denied responsibility for Gaza’s worsening hunger crisis, which the World Health Organization has labeled “man-made,” with France attributing the crisis to an Israeli “blockade.”
