France Takes a Bold Step: Officially Recognizes Palestinian State

Sun Oct 19 2025 23:48:12 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant move, France has officially recognized Palestine as a state, joining a growing list of nations supporting its sovereignty amid escalating tensions in the region.

France has formally recognized a Palestinian state, as announced by President Emmanuel Macron during a speech at the UN in New York. This decision comes amid ongoing humanitarian crises and intensifying calls for peace in the region, with other nations like Belgium and Luxembourg also set to follow suit. The move has been met with mixed reactions, particularly from Israel, which views this recognition as rewarding terrorism. Macron emphasized the urgent need for a two-state solution as tensions continue with Hamas holding hostages in Gaza.

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, after the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal announced recognition 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 see Israel and Palestine side by side in peace and security.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also addressed the UN, on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He reiterated that a two-state solution was the only way to achieve lasting peace in the region.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres called the situation in Gaza morally, legally and politically intolerable and said a two-state solution was the only credible path for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who was blocked from attending the UN General Assembly in person after the US revoked his and other Palestinian officials' visas, addressed the conference via videolink. He called for a permanent ceasefire and stated that Hamas could have no role in governing Gaza, urging the group to surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Macron also affirmed France's readiness to contribute to a stabilisation mission in Gaza, stating France would open an embassy to a Palestinian state only once all hostages held by Hamas are released and a ceasefire established.

The Palestinian and Israeli flags were displayed on the Eiffel Tower following Macron’s announcement, highlighting France's support. Pro-Palestinian protests took place in several European cities, despite resistance from some governments.