French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, aiming to revive hopes for a two-state solution.
The move sparked a strong backlash from the U.S. and Israel, while Saudi Arabia and Spain praised it.
Macron called the decision a step toward a "just and lasting peace" in the Middle East and urged other nations to follow suit. France would be the first major Western power to recognize Palestine, a shift that has divided international opinion.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the plan, calling it a reward for terrorism and a threat to Israel’s existence. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz labeled it a “disgrace.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the move “reckless” and accused France of promoting Hamas propaganda.
In contrast, Saudi Arabia hailed the decision as “historic” and urged other countries to recognize Palestine. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed France joining countries that support Palestinian statehood.
France defended its stance, arguing that it opposes Hamas and supports a peaceful two-state solution. The Palestinian Authority expressed gratitude, calling the move a sign of France’s commitment to international law and Palestinian self-determination.
The announcement comes ahead of a UN conference on Palestine, amid pressure and resistance from allies like the U.S., UK, and Canada. Israel has warned France that recognition could harm bilateral ties and possibly lead to West Bank annexation. Photo by The White House from Washington, DC, Wikimedia commons.