France Officially Recognizes Palestinian State Amid International Tensions

Tue Oct 14 2025 12:21:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a historic announcement at the UN, President Emmanuel Macron declares France's formal recognition of a Palestinian state, emphasizing the need for peace and a two-state solution amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza.

President Emmanuel Macron of France has formally recognized a Palestinian state, stressing the urgency for peace as the international community responds to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This recognition aligns with a broader push among several nations for a two-state solution, amid opposition from some G7 states. The announcement occurred during the UN General Assembly, where calls for a ceasefire and assistance for rebuilding Gaza were made.

France has officially recognized a Palestinian state, becoming the latest country to do so amid growing international pressures regarding the conflict in Gaza. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron stated, the time for peace has come, and condemned the ongoing violence.

This recognition comes as France and Saudi Arabia host a one-day summit at the UN, aimed at promoting discussions on a viable two-state solution. Notably, G7 members Germany, Italy, and the United States have declined to attend this summit.

Macron announced that other countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and San Marino, are also prepared to recognize Palestine, following similar declarations made by the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal recently.

The statement by Macron reflects the mounting international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with more than 65,000 Palestinian deaths reported since the start of the current conflict, and calls for Israeli action to halt settlement expansion.

Highlighting the urgency for a ceasefire, Macron described the end of the war as imperative for peace negotiations and emphasized that international efforts have thus far failed to secure a lasting resolution in the Middle East. He stated, right must always prevail over might, and reiterated the necessity for a two-state solution, envisioning a peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, echoed these sentiments at the conference, reinforcing that a two-state solution is the only pathway to lasting peace in the region. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres referred to the situation in Gaza as morally, legally, and politically intolerable, insisting that a two-state solution remains the only credible path forward.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the assembly remotely due to visa issues, called for a ceasefire and the disarmament of Hamas, stating, What we want is one unified state without weapons. Abbas condemned the recent attack by Hamas on Israel and stressed the need for peace as the future for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Following Macron's declaration, the French government indicated that an embassy would only be opened in a Palestinian state once hostages held by Hamas are freed and a ceasefire is established. In contrast, Israel's ambassador to the UN dismissed the feasibility of a two-state solution post-October 7 attacks, labeling the current discussions at the UN as superficial.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations were also noted across various cities in France, marking a significant moment in the ongoing saga of Palestinian statehood and international relations regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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