French officials have stated that Paris will formally recognize a Palestinian state in September 2025, at the UN General Assembly.
It will do so even if Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire — or if it doesn’t.
President Emmanuel Macron has stressed that Israel will not and cannot influence France’s decision.
This is not new: Macron, highlighting a two-state solution, has repeatedly argued that a Palestinian state as being essential for regional stability and the Middle East’s security.
“The urgency is to end the war in Gaza and provide aid to the civilian population”, Macron commented. “There must be an immediate cease-fire, including the release of all hostages and massive humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.”
On July 23, Macron had a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the crisis in Gaza.
He spoke candidly about being under “enormous domestic pressure”, confirming thus that a wider European diplomatic push had been decided upon.
It was during this period that images of the famine in Gaza were published, horrifying the world.
On July 25, Macron sent a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, warned Israel that it would also recognize a Palestinian state if Israel failed to allow aid into Gaza.
Benjamin Netanyahu flouted the claim, which he deemed as “rewarding terrorism.”
In late July, France and Saudi Arabia co-hosted a conference where 17 countries hosted the “New York Declaration”—expressing readiness to recognize a Palestinian state at the September UN Assembly.
It calls for a two-state solution, urges Hamas to disarm, demands that power be transferred to the Palestinian Authority, and condemns the massacre of October 7th.
