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In a major shift in European diplomacy, French President Emmanuel Macron announced late Thursday that France will officially recognize Palestine as a state, a move set to be formalized this September at the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement shared on social media, Macron said the decision reflects France’s long-standing commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. "Peace is possible," the post read. Macron also sent a formal letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas informing him of the move.
“I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,” Macron said, adding that the aim is to support a political solution that ensures peace for both Palestinians and Israelis.
While backing Palestinian statehood, Macron also repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of Israeli hostages, and urgent humanitarian aid to reach the civilian population. He stressed that Hamas must be demilitarized for peace to be viable.
“The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population,” Macron said.
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the decision, with Hussein Al Sheikh, a senior official in the PLO, calling it a sign of France’s respect for international law and the Palestinian right to self-determination.
If finalized in September, France will become the most powerful European country to recognize Palestine, joining over 140 other nations worldwide that have done so, including several in the EU.
The announcement comes as global outrage grows over conditions in the Gaza Strip. Humanitarian groups say famine is spreading due to the ongoing Israeli military campaign and restrictions on aid. Over 100 organizations, including Doctors Without Borders and Amnesty International, have sounded the alarm this week.
Meanwhile, the United States has stepped away from ceasefire talks in Qatar, accusing Hamas of not negotiating in good faith.
The Israeli government was quick to condemn Macron’s announcement.
“This decision rewards terror,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that recognizing a Palestinian state under current conditions would create “another Iranian proxy” in the region.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the move “ridiculous,” adding that any Palestinian state would effectively become “a Hamas state.”
The United States also voiced strong opposition. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the move “reckless” and said it “sets back peace” rather than helping it. “It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th,” he posted on X.
The announcement underscores France’s complex domestic and geopolitical position. It is home to Europe’s largest Jewish community and also the largest Muslim population in Western Europe.
