French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would officially recognize Palestine during its meeting with Saudi Arabia. The decision marks an iconic milestone that may boost Palestine’s morale, but is unlikely to bring about major changes on the ground.
The most far-right cabinet in Israel’s history openly declared that a Palestinian state would not be established, despite continuing war with Gaza in the aftermath of Hamas’ Al-Aqsa Storm Operation on October 7, 2023.
Israel faces widespread international criticism of its actions in Gaza, where local health officials report that more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed. Recently, Israeli forces launched a long-standing attack in Gaza city, but little hoped that a ceasefire would be invisible.
“We must pave the way for peace,” Macron said at the start of the UN session in New York.
“We must do everything in our power to maintain the two state solutions, the possibility that Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security,” he argued that the declaration met extended applause before announcing the recognition of Palestinians.
Among those who addressed the event were Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose government recognized Palestine in 2024, told Reuters: “You are the Security Council, two countries, the UK and France, recognize the Palestinian state, and secondly there are two countries within the Western society.
Macron also presented the proposals of the restructured Palestinian authorities to set up an embassy when certain conditions are met, such as reforms, ceasefires and the release of prisoners of war taken during Operation Hamas.
Prior to this week’s UN General Assembly, Luxembourg, Malta, Belgium and Monaco have joined more than three-quarters of UN member states already recognised Palestine. Macron’s previous pledge in July sparked the latest wave of recognition. England, Canada and Australia followed suit.
Palestinian authorities President Mahmoud Abbas has refused a US visa and has not been able to attend, so he has come through a video link and says he is “seeking people who have not yet been called on people who have not yet been.”
“We ask for your support so that Palestine becomes a full-scale member of the United Nations,” he added, pledging reforms and elections within a year after the ceasefire.
Currently, Palestine holds observer status at the United Nations without rights. Full membership requires Security Council approval that the US can refuse.
The two state solutions that were the basis for the 1993 US-supported Oslo agreement have almost collapsed since 2014, with no serious negotiations.
Netanyahu has rejected all requests for a ceasefire and continues to oppose the perception of the Palestinian state. Washington also falsely warned other countries that recognition of Palestine could complicate efforts to resolve conflicts.
It is considered urgent in some countries as Israeli invasions in Gaza escalates and intensifies settler violence in the West Bank.
Most European states now admit that Palestine, Germany and Italy are hesitant. Germany has become increasingly critical of Israeli policy, but it argues that recognition should follow a negotiated political process. A German government spokesman also emphasized that further annexation of the occupied territories would not occur. Italy explains that it is potentially perceived as “counter effect.”
This is a measure of the Tel Aviv regime weighing the possibility of retaliation against France against part of the West Bank, but such measures will primarily carry symbolic weight. However, further occupations risk burdening relationships with the UAE, the major oil power and the regional mediator.
United Arab Emirates – The most prominent Arab states normalizing relations with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Agreement warn that occupation will undermine the spirit of dealing.
The US has also warned that countries taking punitive action against Israel, including France, could face consequences.
MNA/