France will officially recognise a Palestinian state in September, becoming the first G7 nation to do so, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Thursday. The announcement will be made at the UN General Assembly in New York.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Macron expressed the urgency of ending the war in Gaza and providing aid to the civilian population. He called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and extensive humanitarian assistance. “Peace is possible,” Macron wrote, adding, “We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”
Macron’s decision was welcomed by Palestinian officials, who hailed it as a significant step toward justice. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticised the move, accusing France of rewarding terrorism in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.
Macron reiterated France’s long-standing commitment to peace in the Middle East, stressing the need for the demilitarization of Hamas and the rebuilding of Gaza. “True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,” he wrote. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring Palestine’s viability, its demilitarization, and its full recognition of Israel.
In a follow-up letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron confirmed his stance. Abbas’s deputy, Hussein al-Sheikh, described the move as a reflection of France’s dedication to international law and Palestinian rights.
While Macron’s decision has garnered support from Palestinians and some Arab states, it has been met with strong opposition from Israel. Netanyahu condemned the recognition of a Palestinian state, asserting that such a move would serve as a launchpad for attacks on Israel, rather than fostering peace. “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel—not to live in peace beside it,” Netanyahu stated.
Hamas, for its part, welcomed the French decision, calling it “a positive step in the right direction” and urging other countries to follow France’s example.
The State of Palestine is currently recognized by over 140 of the 193 member states of the United Nations, including several European Union nations such as Spain and Ireland. However, major powers like the United States and the United Kingdom, Israel’s closest allies, have not recognized Palestine as a state.
In response to Macron’s announcement, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed concern over the escalating violence, stating that he would hold an “emergency call” with French and German leaders to discuss ways to halt the killing. Starmer reiterated that a ceasefire could pave the way for recognizing a Palestinian state and moving towards a two-state solution.
Saudi Arabia also praised France’s decision, stating that it reaffirmed the international community’s consensus on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and an independent state.
The backdrop of this diplomatic development is the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel’s military campaign, launched in response to the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas, has led to devastating casualties. At least 59,106 people have died in Gaza since the conflict began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The UN’s Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) has reported widespread malnutrition among Gaza’s children, with one in five now affected.
International aid organizations continue to warn of a looming humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, urging governments to take action to prevent mass starvation. Israel, however, has insisted that there is no siege in Gaza, blaming Hamas for the humanitarian crisis.