PARIS (Realist English). French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France will officially recognize the State of Palestine in September, citing the urgent need to end the war in Gaza and safeguard civilians. The move marks a significant shift in French policy and places France among the most influential European countries to support Palestinian statehood.
“The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,” Macron posted on social media, adding that the decision will be formally presented at the United Nations General Assembly. “Given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine. Peace is possible.”
The French president, who initially backed Israel after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, has grown increasingly critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. In a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron confirmed France’s shift and commitment to the two-state solution.
Palestinian officials welcomed the decision. Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior aide to Abbas, thanked Macron, stating: “This position reflects France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination.”
The Hamas movement also praised the announcement, calling it a “positive step in the right direction” and urging other nations — especially in Europe — to follow suit.
With France’s move, at least 142 of the 193 UN member states have now recognized or pledged to recognize Palestinian statehood, according to AFP. These include a broad coalition of countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. However, Israel, the United States, Canada, and much of Western Europe continue to oppose such recognition.
The backlash from Israeli officials was swift. Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin condemned Macron’s decision as “a black mark on French history” and accused Paris of aiding terrorism. He added: “It is now time to apply Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the move a “reckless decision,” while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney blamed Israel for the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and demanded an immediate ceasefire and adherence to international law.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who already recognized Palestine, applauded Macron’s decision, saying it would “protect the two-state solution — the only solution.”
France’s announcement follows the U.S. withdrawal from ceasefire talks in Qatar, citing a lack of good faith from Hamas. At the same time, a growing chorus of Western nations has criticized Israel’s restrictions on aid to Gaza and the killing of Palestinians attempting to reach food.
The Palestinian leadership seeks a sovereign state comprising the occupied West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem — territories seized by Israel during the 1967 war. Israel, however, has long rejected full Palestinian statehood, citing security concerns and internal opposition, especially after the deadly Hamas attack in October.
France’s move to recognize Palestine adds momentum to international pressure on Israel and shifts the diplomatic balance as the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates. Macron’s administration will co-host a UN conference next week to advance the two-state solution framework.
