New York (BN24) – Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, suffered a widespread outage Thursday that left tens of thousands of users offline, marking one of the most significant disruptions in the service’s history.
The company acknowledged the network failure in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Starlink is currently in a network outage and we are actively implementing a solution.” The outage began around 3:13 p.m. ET and appeared to affect users globally.
Musk also addressed the issue directly on X, saying, “Service will be restored shortly. Sorry for the outage. SpaceX will remedy root cause to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
According to Downdetector, which tracks service disruptions via user reports and real-time status indicators, there were at least 25,767 reports of Starlink service problems by 4:18 p.m. ET. Reports spanned North America, Europe, and other regions served by the satellite-based provider.
Doug Madory, director of internet analysis at Kentik, told Reuters the service appeared to be experiencing a “total outage” during the initial phase. “They haven’t had one like this in a long time,” he said, adding that the scale and suddenness of the interruption were highly unusual for the network.
While Starlink has previously faced localized disruptions, a global blackout of this magnitude is rare for the satellite-based internet platform, which boasts millions of users and plays a key role in providing broadband in remote areas, disaster zones, and military operations.
As of Thursday evening, SpaceX had not released a full technical explanation of what caused the failure, though engineers were reportedly working to restore functionality and identify any vulnerabilities in the network’s architecture.
The outage renewed concerns about the reliability of space-based communications services, especially as Starlink becomes increasingly integrated into global infrastructure, from rural connectivity and aviation to defense systems and humanitarian aid networks.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell engaged in a tense on-camera exchange during a tour of the Federal Reserve’s historic headquarters on Thursday, sparring over the cost of ongoing renovations and the independence of the central bank’s leadership.
The confrontation unfolded when Trump paused to speak with reporters during the inspection visit and summoned Powell to join him. Standing side by side, Trump alleged that the renovations to the Federal Reserve complex had ballooned to $3.1 billion — a figure higher than previously reported. As Trump made the claim, Powell visibly shook his head in disagreement.
“I’m not aware of that,” Powell said flatly, pushing back on the number. “I haven’t heard that from anybody at the Fed.”
Trump, undeterred, pulled a folded document from his coat pocket and handed it to Powell. “This just came out,” Trump said. “It came from us.”
Powell, reviewing the document, quickly pointed out the discrepancy. “You included a third building,” he said, clarifying that the additional structure was not part of the current renovation but had been built five years ago. “It’s not new.”
The third building became the centerpiece of Trump’s renewed criticism of Powell, whom he has repeatedly accused of mismanaging monetary policy and defying presidential demands for lower interest rates. Trump has also expressed frustration over the central bank’s autonomy, which prevents him from directly firing the Fed chair.
Joining Trump at the site was South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, a Republican ally, who echoed concerns about the project’s cost overruns. “It’s a lot,” Scott said, though he offered no specifics.
Asked whether the renovation would exceed its budget further, Powell said, “We don’t expect them,” but added, “we’re ready for them” if necessary, suggesting responsible contingency planning by the Fed.
Trump then turned to a sympathetic reporter, who asked how he would treat a project manager who came in over budget. “Generally speaking,” Trump said, “I’d fire him.”
As the group prepared to continue their tour, Trump added a pointed remark: “There’s something he could do to make this better. I’d love him to lower interest rates.”
Powell, who has consistently defended the Fed’s independence from political influence, has insisted that interest rate decisions are made based on economic conditions, not presidential pressure. He has also reminded critics that the law prevents the president from firing the central bank’s leader without cause.
The public spat is the latest flashpoint in the long-running tension between Trump and Powell, who have repeatedly clashed over monetary policy during Trump’s presidency. While Powell has said the Fed is prepared to adjust rates if economic conditions warrant, he has remained firm in insulating monetary policy decisions from political agendas.
LONDON, Ontario (BN24) — Five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team were acquitted Thursday in a high-profile sexual assault case, bringing a contentious and yearslong legal battle to a close. The ruling by Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia came after a detailed five-hour explanation in which she determined that the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof required for conviction.
The judge cleared Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote of all charges related to an alleged group sexual assault at a hotel room in London, Ontario, in the early hours of June 19, 2018. Carroccia said the credibility of the complainant’s testimony was insufficient to justify criminal convictions, noting inconsistencies and contradictions in her account, including discrepancies with surveillance footage and witness statements.
“The complainant tended to blame others for contradictions and inconsistencies in her testimony,” Carroccia said, adding that the woman “went to great lengths” to claim she was heavily intoxicated, a claim not corroborated by video evidence or other testimonies.
All five men, aged between 25 and 27, had pleaded not guilty. They were attending a gala and golf event in London that year to celebrate their gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship. At the time charges were filed in early 2024, four of the players were active in the NHL: Dube with the Calgary Flames, Hart with the Philadelphia Flyers, and McLeod and Foote with the New Jersey Devils. Formenton had been playing in Switzerland following his stint with the Ottawa Senators. All five took indefinite leave from professional hockey and currently remain without NHL contracts.
McLeod was also acquitted of a separate charge of being a party to the offense — a rarely used legal application more commonly seen in homicide cases.
The woman testified in May that she was intoxicated, naked, and frightened when four of the men entered her room unexpectedly and said she complied out of fear. “I made the choice to dance with them and drink at the bar. I did not make the choice to have them do what they did back at the hotel,” she told the court.
Prosecutors argued the players acted without confirming whether she was capable of or willing to give consent. However, defense lawyers painted a different picture, asserting that the woman participated willingly and even initiated some of the activity. The court viewed two short video clips recorded by McLeod that night, in which the woman is seen stating the acts were consensual — a statement she later said did not reflect how she truly felt.
Public scrutiny surrounding the case had intensified over several years. The initial police investigation was closed without charges in 2019, but the woman later filed a civil lawsuit against Hockey Canada in 2022, prompting renewed investigations by local police, Hockey Canada, and the National Hockey League. That lawsuit was settled confidentially, triggering a loss of corporate sponsors for the national hockey organization.
Protesters gathered outside the London courthouse on Thursday holding signs in support of the complainant, underscoring the case’s broader societal impact amid ongoing conversations about consent and accountability in sports culture.
The NHL began its own investigation in 2022, vowing transparency. However, Commissioner Gary Bettman has since indicated that the league’s ability to release findings may be limited due to the legal complexities surrounding the case.
The verdict leaves lingering questions about institutional accountability and the future of the players, who remain without contracts and off NHL rosters amid public and professional fallout.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a sweeping executive order intended to give cities and states broader authority to remove homeless individuals from public spaces and relocate them to treatment or housing facilities, citing concerns over public disorder and safety.
The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to roll back court precedents and consent decrees that, according to the White House, limit the ability of local governments to commit individuals who are deemed a threat to themselves or others. It also authorizes federal funding to support transferring those with severe mental illness or addiction away from street encampments and into long-term care.
“Shifting homeless individuals into long-term institutional settings for humane treatment through the appropriate use of civil commitment will restore public order,” the order states. “Surrendering our cities and citizens to disorder and fear is neither compassionate to the homeless nor to other citizens. My Administration will take a new approach focused on protecting public safety.”
The directive also instructs Bondi to coordinate with the Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation to prioritize federal grants for states and municipalities that enforce bans on illicit drug use, urban camping, and loitering in public spaces.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the move as part of Trump’s broader strategy to “Make America Safe Again,” a cornerstone of his re-election campaign. “By removing vagrant criminals from our streets and redirecting resources toward substance abuse programs, the Trump administration will ensure that Americans feel safe in their own communities and that individuals suffering from addiction or mental health struggles are able to get the help they need,” she said in a statement.
The executive order marks an escalation in Trump’s long-standing campaign promise to “end homelessness across America,” and comes months after he ordered the National Park Service to clear encampments from federal lands in Washington, D.C. In March, Trump openly criticized D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for allowing homeless encampments near federal buildings, warning that the federal government would intervene if the city failed to act.
Thursday’s order follows another directive from March in which Trump moved to dismantle the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, a bipartisan body responsible for coordinating homelessness policy across federal agencies.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump made homelessness a focal point, repeatedly promising to use “every tool, lever, and authority” to clear encampments and relocate people to treatment or housing centers. “When I am back in the White House, we will get the homeless off our streets,” he vowed in a campaign video last spring.
Advocates for the homeless have expressed concern that Trump’s policies could criminalize poverty and lead to the forced institutionalization of vulnerable populations without due process. However, administration officials insist the executive order emphasizes treatment and public safety, not punishment.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (BN24) — Ghislaine Maxwell held what her legal team called “productive” discussions with the U.S. Justice Department this week, in a closed-door meeting that marked the first formal engagement between Maxwell and federal prosecutors under President Donald Trump’s current administration.
The meeting took place at a federal courthouse in Tallahassee and lasted the entire day, according to her attorney David Oscar Markus. Present for the high-level talks was Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, a longtime Trump associate recently appointed to the role following his leadership in the former president’s legal defense team.
“We had a very productive day today with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Ghislaine Maxwell,” Markus said to reporters outside the courthouse. “We want to thank the deputy attorney general for being so professional with all of us and taking the time to meet face-to-face.”
Markus, who did not elaborate on the subject matter of the meeting, emphasized that Maxwell was forthcoming throughout the session. “He took a full day and asked a lot of questions. And Ms. Maxwell answered every single one,” he said.
Maxwell, 62, is currently serving a 20-year federal sentence after being convicted of trafficking underage girls for disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The discussions come at a time of renewed political interest in Epstein’s global network and could signal a shifting approach from Trump’s Department of Justice, though neither side confirmed the purpose or implications of the meeting.
“She never invoked any privilege, never declined to answer. She responded to every question truthfully, honestly, and to the best of her ability,” Markus added. “That’s all we’re going to say today about the meeting. We won’t comment on the substance of it for obvious reasons.”
When asked whether Maxwell would be subject to further questioning or whether the meeting was part of a broader agreement or cooperation deal, Markus declined to comment. The Justice Department, for its part, has not released a public statement confirming the nature or goals of the visit.
Maxwell’s appearance in Tallahassee, as well as the involvement of Deputy Attorney General Blanche—a figure closely linked to President Trump—has sparked intense speculation about what role, if any, Maxwell may play in future Justice Department investigations or legal proceedings connected to the Epstein case. The fact that the talks occurred in private only deepened the intrigue surrounding the encounter.
Legal analysts say the meeting could be a prelude to further cooperation or an internal DOJ assessment of Maxwell’s potential to provide relevant information tied to open or sealed federal cases. Yet for now, the details remain sealed behind courtroom doors, and no official indication has been made that a deal is on the table.
Maxwell’s conviction last year ended a high-profile legal saga, but the lingering questions about Epstein’s powerful connections—including several who moved in political, royal, and financial circles—have continued to cast a long shadow.
MOSCOW (BN24) — Forty-eight people lost their lives Thursday in a tragic plane crash in Russia’s Far Eastern Amur region, officials announced, as rescue teams discovered the burning wreckage deep in a remote forested hillside.
The Soviet-era Antonov An-24 passenger aircraft vanished from radar while en route from Blagoveshchensk, a city on the Russian-Chinese border, to Tynda, a town located further inland. Authorities said the crash site was found approximately 15 kilometers south of Tynda amid dense woodland, where the aircraft was almost completely destroyed by fire.
Regional Governor Vasily Orlov confirmed that all passengers and crew aboard the flight perished. He declared three days of official mourning to honor the victims. “Tragically, there are no survivors,” Orlov said in a video address, adding that rescuers were still struggling to reach the isolated crash location due to challenging terrain and weather conditions.
The Antonov An-24, a twin-turboprop plane first introduced nearly five decades ago, was operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines. Reports indicated 48 individuals were aboard, including 43 passengers—five of whom were children—and six crew members. Some discrepancies in passenger numbers were noted, with Russian emergency officials initially citing 49 people onboard.
The flight originated from Khabarovsk before stopping in Blagoveshchensk, from where it departed toward Tynda. According to the Far Eastern transport prosecutor’s office, the plane lost contact during a second landing attempt at Tynda, under adverse weather conditions, as revealed by unnamed emergency service sources.
Russian state media circulated images of the crash site, showing scattered debris and thick smoke rising from the forest. The Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) confirmed their ongoing investigation into the causes of the crash, with flight safety violations being considered as a possible factor.
Aviation accidents have been a persistent issue in Russia, particularly amid increased operational challenges brought on by international sanctions that have strained the country’s aviation sector, affecting maintenance and procurement of new aircraft.
This tragedy marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the region in recent years, prompting national mourning and a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
TELAVIV, Israel (BN24)—Dozens of Israeli activists marched through Tel Aviv on Tuesday, protesting what they described as the Israeli government’s role in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid agencies warn of widespread famine and rising child mortality.
Gathering at HaBima Square, demonstrators carried placards reading “Starvation is a War Crime” and “It’s Being Done in Our Name.” The group marched toward the Israeli Ministry of Defense carrying symbolic sacks of flour, denouncing the alleged weaponization of food and forced displacement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The protest comes amid escalating international concern over what the United Nations has described as a “man-made famine.” In a June 2025 statement, the UN condemned Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza, declaring the blockade and resulting starvation a violation of international law and a potential war crime.
UN: Famine Crisis Escalates in Gaza
More than 2.1 million Palestinians are now living in increasingly dire conditions, with the majority displaced and crowded into 12 percent of Gaza’s territory. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the territory’s food, water, and medical supplies are at “unprecedented” scarcity levels.
Humanitarian agencies report that food convoys remain blocked at Gaza’s borders while malnutrition rates—especially among children—have doubled in recent months. Al Jazeera cited medical sources reporting the deaths of 21 children from starvation in just 72 hours this week, amid widespread shortages.
At Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals, including Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah and Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, staff report a surge in patients suffering from acute food deprivation. Among the deceased were two newborns and a young child.
Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, Director of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, warned that Gaza has entered a critical phase of famine. “We are seeing irreversible damage—children with memory loss, pregnant women with severe deficiencies, and no medical infrastructure to support them,” he said.
Airstrikes Compound Humanitarian Disaster
Tuesday’s protest also coincided with reports of renewed Israeli airstrikes across Gaza. According to local hospital officials, at least 45 Palestinians were killed in a single day, including five civilians—three of them children—near the Ali Ibn Abi Talib Mosque in Gaza City. Thirteen others died in pre-dawn shelling of a tent encampment at Al-Shati refugee camp.
The rising civilian toll has intensified calls for international intervention. The Arab League urged the UN to pass an emergency resolution ending the siege and ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid. Algeria and Somalia, both currently serving as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, have been tasked with lobbying for the resolution.
Professional Unions Join Global Appeals
Palestinian professional associations including doctors, journalists, and lawyers—have joined the outcry. In a rare joint statement, they appealed to global unions and human rights organizations to condemn what they called a “systematic starvation policy” and demand accountability under international humanitarian law.
Medical workers in Gaza describe operating under extreme conditions, with hospitals running at 250% capacity and supplies exhausted. Some doctors report being forced to treat patients while suffering from hunger themselves.
The situation has sparked outrage beyond the region. U.S.-based company GHF and its CEO, Johnnie Moore—an evangelical pastor and outspoken supporter of Israel—have come under scrutiny following reports linking them to controversial food distribution operations in Gaza. Critics accuse GHF of exacerbating civilian suffering by allegedly controlling food flows in what they called “Hunger Games-style tactics.”
A Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolding
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) recently reported that more than 5,500 children in Gaza are now suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Estimates suggest 17,000 children are at immediate risk, with hundreds arriving daily at hospitals exhibiting signs of starvation-related cognitive dysfunction.
“We are facing a full-blown famine,” said a UN spokesperson. “The main threat in Gaza is no longer airstrikes—it’s hunger.”
CLEARWATER, Fla. (BN24) — Hulk Hogan, the charismatic titan of professional wrestling who catapulted the sport into mainstream popularity and became a pop culture icon across generations, died Thursday in Florida at age 71 following a cardiac arrest.
Authorities confirmed that emergency medics responded to Hogan’s Clearwater home Thursday morning, and the wrestling legend—whose real name was Terry Bollea—was pronounced dead less than 90 minutes after arrival at a nearby hospital. Police said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Hogan’s death marks the end of a towering era in professional wrestling. Known for his signature blond mustache, red-and-yellow attire, and the famous rallying cry “Hulkamania,” Hogan was the driving force behind the rise of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in the 1980s and ’90s. His star power launched the company’s first WrestleMania in 1985 and fueled decades of arena sellouts, television ratings, and pay-per-view records.
“He was a trailblazer—the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon,” said WWE co-founder Vince McMahon. Hogan faced wrestling legends like André the Giant, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, The Rock, and even McMahon himself, winning at least six WWE championships and earning a Hall of Fame induction in 2005.
His broad appeal stretched well beyond the ring. Hogan appeared in movies like Rocky III and starred in his own VH1 reality show, Hogan Knows Best. His larger-than-life charisma and theatrical bravado made him a beloved figure even among those who never watched wrestling.
In recent years, Hogan became active in conservative politics. At the 2024 Republican National Convention, he delivered a dramatic endorsement of President Donald Trump by fusing his iconic wrestling persona with campaign theatrics. Ripping off a shirt to reveal a red “Trump-Vance” campaign tee, Hogan roared, “Let Trumpamania run wild, brother!” to thunderous applause.
Trump responded to news of Hogan’s death with a tribute on Truth Social: “We lost a great friend today, the Hulkster. Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way—strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”
Born in Georgia but raised in Florida, Hogan first encountered pro wrestling at Tampa’s Sportatorium and vowed to join the sport. After a punishing encounter with veteran wrestlers that left him with a broken leg, his father offered a stern warning: Don’t ever let anyone hurt you again. Hogan returned months later, determined—and never looked back.
He captured his first WWF championship in 1984 and helped usher in the inaugural WrestleMania the following year, teaming with Mr. T to defeat Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. He later body-slammed André the Giant at WrestleMania III, an iconic moment that symbolized pro wrestling’s surge into the mainstream.
His feud with Randy Savage, and later his transformation into the villainous “Hollywood Hogan” with the New World Order (NWO) in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), made him central to the Monday Night Wars, a ratings battle between WWE and WCW that reshaped the industry.
Hogan returned to WWE in 2002 and won a championship once again, proving his enduring popularity. His showdown with The Rock at WrestleMania X8—a match where fans cheered him despite his “heel” persona—remains one of wrestling’s most memorable moments.
He was also known for his electric interviews and “promos,” often beginning with his catchphrase: “Well, lemme tell ya something, Mean Gene!” in reference to interviewer Gene Okerlund.
But Hogan’s life outside the ring wasn’t without controversy. In 2016, a Florida jury awarded him $115 million in a privacy lawsuit against Gawker Media, which had published a sex tape involving Hogan and a friend’s wife. Though he prevailed in court, the scandal strained his relationship with WWE, which temporarily cut ties with him after reports surfaced that Hogan had used racial slurs in the tape. He publicly apologized, calling his language “unacceptable.”
In April, Hogan announced his newest venture: serving as the first commissioner of the Real American Freestyle organization, which markets itself as the world’s first “unscripted” pro wrestling league. Its debut event is scheduled for August 30 at Cleveland State University.
“The idea was so exciting—to guide a new generation of talent and help make them stars,” Hogan said at the time. “People might be surprised, but wrestling is wrestling, brother.”
Despite personal and professional setbacks, Hulk Hogan remained a revered figure in American pop culture—admired by fans who continued to see him as a symbol of strength, perseverance, and showmanship.
“Everywhere I show up, people treat me like I’m still the champ,” Hogan said during a 2016 court appearance, smiling at the outpouring of support.
He is survived by his children and a legacy that reshaped the landscape of professional wrestling—and entertainment—as we know it.
PARIS (BN24) — French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, filed a defamation lawsuit Wednesday in Delaware Superior Court against U.S. right-wing influencer and podcaster Candace Owens, accusing her of orchestrating a global smear campaign by falsely claiming that France’s first lady was born male.
The lawsuit marks a rare and high-profile international defamation case involving a sitting world leader and reflects the Macrons’ growing frustration over what they call a sustained campaign of public humiliation. In the complaint, the couple alleged that Owens knowingly propagated “verifiably false” claims, including the assertion that Brigitte Macron, 72, was born as “Jean-Michel Trogneux,” the name of her older brother.
“Owens has dissected their appearance, their marriage, their friends, their family, and their personal history — twisting it all into a grotesque narrative designed to inflame and degrade,” the lawsuit states. “The result is relentless bullying on a worldwide scale.”
The legal action targets Owens’ eight-part podcast series titled Becoming Brigitte, which has amassed over 2.3 million views on YouTube, as well as related content posted to her social media platforms. Owens has more than 6.9 million followers on X and more than 4.5 million subscribers on YouTube.
In her most recent podcast episode, Owens called the lawsuit “littered with factual inaccuracies” and described it as a “desperate public relations strategy.” She said she was not informed in advance that a lawsuit would be filed, though the Macrons’ attorneys stated that legal teams had been in contact since January.
A spokesperson for Owens framed the lawsuit as an attack on the First Amendment, claiming it represented “a foreign government attacking the free speech rights of an American independent journalist.”
In a joint statement released by their lawyers, the Macrons said Owens had rejected three formal demands to retract the defamatory statements. “Ms. Owens’s campaign of defamation was plainly designed to harass and cause pain to us and our families and to garner attention and notoriety,” the couple stated. “We gave her every opportunity to back away from these claims, but she refused.”
The case, filed as Macron et al v. Owens et al, underscores the legal challenges public figures face when bringing defamation suits in the United States, where the threshold for proving “actual malice” is high. Plaintiffs must show the defendant knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
The lawsuit alleges that Owens went beyond commentary and into a realm of malicious falsehoods, spreading rumors that Brigitte Macron had transitioned genders and stolen another identity. The complaint also refers to false insinuations that the Macrons are blood relatives involved in an incestuous relationship.
These rumors, which first circulated online in 2021, have gained attention in recent years on platforms hosted by prominent conservative voices, including Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan. The complaint also references the Macrons’ long-public relationship, stating that Emmanuel Macron, now 47, met Brigitte when he was a high school student and she was a teacher — a relationship that “remained within the bounds of the law.”
Last year, Brigitte Macron won a defamation case in a French court against two women who helped spread gender-related rumors, including one who identified as a medium. That ruling was overturned on appeal this month, and Brigitte has since appealed to France’s highest court.
The Macron lawsuit arrives amid a broader surge in international defamation disputes involving high-profile political figures. In the U.S., President Donald Trump has filed multiple defamation lawsuits, including a $10 billion suit against The Wall Street Journal over a report alleging he created a lewd birthday greeting for disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Trump also recently settled a defamation case with ABC for $15 million over a misstatement regarding a jury verdict in a civil sexual assault trial.
Whether the Macrons’ legal action will meet the high burden of proof required by U.S. courts remains to be seen. But their complaint underscores a determination to push back against viral misinformation campaigns targeting public figures in the digital age.
PARIS (BN24) — French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France will formally recognize the state of Palestine, aligning with a growing international movement and mounting outrage over the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Macron said the official recognition will be made at the United Nations General Assembly in September. “The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,” Macron wrote, declaring, “Peace is possible.”
Though Macron initially expressed strong support for Israel following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault, his tone has shifted as Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has drawn condemnation for worsening civilian suffering and obstructing humanitarian aid. In his Thursday announcement, Macron said France’s long-standing commitment to a “just and sustainable peace in the Middle East” necessitated the recognition of Palestinian statehood.
France is set to become the most powerful European nation to recognize Palestine, joining more than 140 countries worldwide — including a growing bloc within Europe — that have extended diplomatic recognition to a future Palestinian state.
Macron also shared a letter addressed to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas informing him of the decision. The French leader emphasized that Palestinian statehood is essential to realizing a lasting two-state solution alongside a secure Israel.
France’s move comes amid heightened tensions over Israel’s actions in Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed attempting to access food, and Israeli restrictions have sharply limited aid deliveries. Earlier this week, France joined more than two dozen mainly European countries in condemning Israel’s blockade on humanitarian supplies.
The announcement follows the abrupt collapse of U.S.-mediated ceasefire talks in Qatar, where American officials accused Hamas of acting in bad faith. Macron’s decision could intensify pressure on other Western nations to take a similar stance, particularly as calls for an end to the war and recognition of Palestinian sovereignty gain traction.
France holds particular significance in the debate: it has the largest Jewish population in Europe and the biggest Muslim population in Western Europe, often making it a flashpoint for Middle East-related tensions.
The French Foreign Ministry is expected to co-host a United Nations conference next week focused on reviving negotiations toward a two-state solution. Macron’s move underscores a pivot toward a more assertive European role in peace-building efforts in the region.
The Israeli government has long opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, citing security concerns and viewing such recognition as rewarding violence, particularly after Hamas’ October attack. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. It later annexed east Jerusalem and expanded settlements in the West Bank, where more than 500,000 Israeli settlers now live under military protection, often in close proximity to 3 million Palestinians living under Israeli rule.
France’s recognition of Palestine is expected to reverberate internationally, adding weight to global demands for a political resolution that addresses both Palestinian aspirations and Israel’s security concerns.
