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.
