France Officially Recognizes Palestinian State Amid Global Tensions

Fri Oct 17 2025 10:21:24 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant diplomatic move, France has officially recognized the state of Palestine, with President Emmanuel Macron urging for a peaceful resolution amidst escalating humanitarian crises in Gaza.

France has formally recognized a Palestinian state, as announced by President Emmanuel Macron during a UN address. This decision aligns with a broader movement among several nations to acknowledge Palestinian statehood. Macron emphasized the urgent need for peace in the region, condemning the ongoing violence. The recognition comes amidst mounting international pressure on Israel and growing calls for a two-state solution to ensure coexistence between Israel and Palestine.

France has formally recognised a Palestinian state, becoming the latest in a wave of countries to take the step.

Speaking at the UN in New York, President Emmanuel Macron said the time for peace has come and that nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza.

France and Saudi Arabia are hosting a one-day summit at the UN General Assembly focused on plans for a two-state solution. G7 states Germany, Italy, and the US have refused to attend.

Macron confirmed that Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra and San Marino would also recognise a Palestinian state, following the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal's announcements on Sunday.

International pressure is ramping up on Israel over the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza and settlement building in the West Bank.

Israel has said recognition would reward Hamas for the Palestinian armed group's 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and 251 people were taken hostage.

More than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

The French leader told the conference that the time had come to stop the war and free the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

He warned against the peril of endless wars and said right must always prevail over might.

The international community had failed to build a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, he said, adding that we must do everything in our power to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution that would enable Israel and Palestine to coexist peacefully and securely.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also addressed the UN, reiterating that a two-state solution was the only way to achieve lasting peace in the region.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres referred to the situation in Gaza as morally, legally and politically intolerable, asserting that only a two-state solution is a credible path to peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the conference via videolink due to visa issues, called for a permanent ceasefire and stated that Hamas could not play a role in governing Gaza, urging the group to surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

Abbas condemned Hamas's attack on southern Israel and emphasized that the future depends on genuine peace.

Macron expressed France's readiness to contribute to a stabilisation mission in Gaza, insisting that the country would only open an embassy to a Palestinian state when all hostages are released and a ceasefire is reached.

Israel's UN ambassador Danny Dannon called the talks a charade, arguing that the two-state solution was removed from consideration after the October attack. He affirmed that there would be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan River.

The diplomatic climate continues to be strained, with French public demonstrations and visible displays of support for Palestine, despite government neutrality mandates.