President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine, with a formal declaration to be made during the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The move makes France the first G7 country and the most prominent Western power to take this step, drawing strong opposition from Israel and the United States.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Macron declared: “True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine.” A letter confirming this decision has also been sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Fidèle à son engagement historique pour une paix juste et durable au Proche-Orient, j’ai décidé que la France reconnaîtra l’État de Palestine.
J’en ferai l’annonce solennelle à l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies, au mois de septembre prochain.… pic.twitter.com/7yQLkqoFWC
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 24, 2025
The French government hopes that this recognition will reinvigorate the two-state solution and prompt other international partners to follow suit. The announcement precedes a rescheduled international ministerial conference on the Middle East to be held in New York on 28–29 July, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. A second high-level event is expected on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September.
French Aims and Diplomatic Strategy
The Élysée Palace views the decision as a necessary intervention to preserve the viability of a two-state solution and to provide political momentum after months of deadlock and violence. Macron’s office cited the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. He also stressed the requirement for Hamas to be disarmed, the reconstruction of Gaza, and mutual recognition between Israel and a future Palestinian state.
Criticism has also emerged within France, particularly from the political right. Éric Ciotti, aligned with the Rassemblement National, accused Macron of bypassing Parliament and taking an “unworthy” decision driven by electoral considerations, arguing that such a move requires democratic scrutiny in light of the president’s weakened mandate.
France, which hosts both Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim populations, has long sought a balancing role in Middle East diplomacy. French officials had considered making the announcement in June, but delayed it amid regional tensions following the Israel–Iran air war and under pressure from Washington.
By acting ahead of the September summit, Macron intends to shape the diplomatic narrative and create a structured framework for discussions with other governments weighing recognition.
Reactions from Israel
Israel has reacted sharply to the French announcement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the decision as “rewarding terror”, warning that it could create “another Iranian proxy” in the region.
Posting on X, Netanyahu stated: “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it. Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel.”
Defence Minister Israel Katz called the move “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism”, stating that Israel would oppose any Palestinian entity that endangered its security or sovereignty. Israeli officials have reportedly warned France of diplomatic consequences, including curtailing intelligence cooperation and opposing Paris-led initiatives in the region.
According to diplomatic sources, Israeli efforts to block France’s recognition plan have included private warnings of potential annexation of parts of the West Bank.
Response from the United States
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the French initiative, describing it as “reckless” and “a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th”. The Trump administration has reiterated its position against unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, citing risks to US strategic interests and the ongoing influence of Hamas in Gaza.
A June diplomatic cable reportedly indicated that the United States viewed any such recognition outside a negotiated framework as contrary to its foreign policy objectives.
The current US position contrasts with longstanding support for a negotiated two-state solution. In February, President Donald Trump proposed a controversial plan for a US-led takeover of Gaza, which was criticised by the United Nations, Arab governments, and human rights organisations.
Canadian Position and Wider International Context
Canada has also voiced concern over Israel’s conduct, with Prime Minister Mark Carney accusing Tel Aviv of violating international law by obstructing Canadian-funded humanitarian aid. Ottawa has reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution and called for both sides to agree an immediate ceasefire.
Carney stated: “We reiterate our calls for Hamas to immediately release all the hostages, and for the Israeli government to respect the territorial integrity of the West Bank and Gaza.”
Diplomatic divisions are expected to feature prominently at the upcoming conference in New York, where around 40 foreign ministers will meet to assess the prospects for coordinated recognition and re-engagement with the Palestinian question.
Palestinian Authority Reaction
The Palestinian leadership welcomed the move. Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh said Macron’s announcement demonstrated “France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state.”
The formal recognition from Paris may strengthen the Palestinian Authority’s position amid growing international attention on humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the absence of a credible political process.
Outlook
France’s decision to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly marks a notable departure from the traditionally cautious European approach to Middle East diplomacy. However, the move raises questions about its practical impact and timing. In the absence of a negotiated settlement, security guarantees, or enforceable state-building mechanisms, the recognition risks being more declaratory than transformative.
Critics argue that France’s initiative may complicate rather than advance the peace process. By acting outside a multilateral framework, Paris could further polarise international positions, embolden hardliners on both sides, and diminish incentives for direct Israeli–Palestinian negotiations. Whether Macron’s announcement generates constructive momentum or reinforces existing diplomatic deadlock will depend less on symbolic gestures and more on the ability to influence conditions on the ground—an outcome that remains uncertain.
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