France to recognize Palestine as a state, Macron announces

July 25, 2025 – 9:16 AM

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will officially recognize Palestine as a sovereign state at the United Nations General Assembly this September. The decision marks a major shift in Western policy, as global concern grows over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

What happened

On Thursday, July 24, Macron posted on X (formerly Twitter) that France will recognize Palestinian statehood at the upcoming U.N. meeting.

“The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,” Macron wrote.

His announcement comes amid rising international frustration over civilian deaths, starvation, and Israel’s continued blockade of Gaza. More than 140 countries have already recognized Palestine, but France would be the most influential Western power to do so formally.

Why this matters now

The Gaza war has created a growing humanitarian disaster, with thousands of Palestinians cut off from food, water, and medical aid. Macron’s move could help break the diplomatic stalemate and increase pressure on Israel to agree to a ceasefire.

It also follows the collapse of recent ceasefire talks in Qatar, where the U.S. accused Hamas of stalling. Macron’s decision may push other European nations to reconsider their stance on Palestinian statehood.

The French president’s recognition adds momentum to global calls for a two-state solution — the idea of an independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully with Israel.

Israel’s response

Israeli leaders were quick to condemn Macron’s announcement.

“We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became.”

Netanyahu argued that granting Palestine statehood under current conditions would empower Hamas and other militant groups, jeopardizing Israel’s security.

Israel maintains its firm opposition to unilateral recognition, insisting that peace must come through direct negotiations and security guarantees.

Palestinian response

Palestinian leaders welcomed the news as a breakthrough in their decades-long pursuit of self-determination.

On Thursday, France delivered a formal diplomatic letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem. Hussein Al Sheikh, Vice President of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), posted:

“We express our thanks and appreciation to President Macron. This position reflects France’s commitment to international law and the rights of the Palestinian people.”

Macron has repeatedly voiced support for a two-state solution, and his latest move aligns France with much of the international community’s long-standing vision for peace.

France’s shifting position

France has historically supported both Israel’s right to defend itself and the need for a just, lasting peace in the region. After the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, Macron stood with Israel and condemned antisemitism.

However, as the war in Gaza dragged on and civilian suffering worsened, France’s tone began to shift. In recent weeks, Macron has called for a ceasefire and emphasized diplomacy.

“Peace is possible,” he wrote in a second X post on Thursday, signaling France’s pivot toward deeper involvement in peace-building efforts.

International diplomacy and upcoming meetings

Macron’s announcement comes ahead of a major U.N. conference on the two-state solution, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia next week.

Emergency talks are also scheduled for Friday involving Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Annalena Baerbock. The leaders are expected to discuss Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and ways to restart negotiations.

Starmer has already hinted at support for Palestinian statehood, saying:

“A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.”

This growing Western support could mark a turning point in international engagement with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The long road to a two-state solution

The two-state solution — envisioning independent Israeli and Palestinian states — remains the most widely supported path to resolving the conflict.

Palestinians seek statehood in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza — territories captured by Israel during the 1967 Mideast war. But over 500,000 Israeli settlers now live in the West Bank, and Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital.

Roughly 3 million Palestinians live under Israeli military control in the West Bank, with limited self-rule under the Palestinian Authority.

Peace talks have been stalled since 2009, and ongoing settlement expansion has made a negotiated solution more difficult. Macron’s declaration could help restart stalled dialogue, though real progress will likely require deeper international coordination.

Conclusion

France’s move to recognize Palestine is a bold step that may reshape the international response to the Gaza crisis and revive long-dormant peace efforts. While symbolic for now, Macron’s announcement sends a clear signal: the world can no longer wait for a perfect moment to act.

With the humanitarian situation worsening and diplomatic options narrowing, France’s decision could influence other Western countries to follow suit — increasing pressure for a meaningful end to the conflict.

If you found this article helpful, check out our coverage on the Gaza crisis, global diplomacy, and the future of the two-state solution. Share your thoughts or join the discussion in the comments.