France will Recognise Palestinian State in September, Macron Confirms
In a major diplomatic move, French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that France will officially recognise the State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. Macron shared the announcement in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), marking a historic decision from one of Europe’s most powerful nations.
“In keeping with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine,” Macron wrote.
France’s recognition of Palestine follows in the footsteps of other European nations like Norway, Ireland, and Spain. However, France is the largest and arguably the most influential Western power to take such a bold step toward supporting Palestinian statehood.
Growing Support Amid Gaza Crisis
Currently, at least 142 out of 193 UN member states have recognised or pledged to recognise a Palestinian state. Yet key Western powers like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany have so far resisted doing so, maintaining staunch support for Israel.
Macron’s announcement arrives as global outrage builds over Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. Since October 2023, Israel has launched a relentless offensive in response to a deadly Hamas attack, resulting in over 59,587 Palestinian deaths and a deepening humanitarian crisis. Severe restrictions on aid delivery have pushed Gaza into a state of widespread hunger.
The French president’s move is being interpreted as an effort to restore diplomatic balance and push back against a narrative that isolates Palestinian rights. Sources suggest Macron aims to create momentum ahead of a major foreign ministers’ conference in New York, where approximately 40 nations will be present to discuss the conflict.
International Divisions Deepen
While France pushes forward, key allies like the UK and Canada have voiced hesitation. Israeli officials, in turn, have reportedly threatened to retaliate diplomatically — including scaling back intelligence cooperation with France and stalling regional peace talks led by Paris.
Some Israeli diplomats even described France’s decision as a “nuclear bomb” for bilateral relations. There are also fears that Israel could respond by accelerating annexation plans in parts of the West Bank.
Despite the pressure, Macron appears firm in his stance. According to insiders, he intends to use the UN platform to persuade other hesitant countries to join France in recognising Palestine as a sovereign state.
Palestinian Authority Welcomes the Move
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has welcomed the decision. On social media, PA Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh thanked Macron, stating that France’s support reflected “a commitment to international law and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.”
This development could prove to be a watershed moment in the decades-long struggle for Palestinian recognition and autonomy, with global implications for peace efforts, international law, and Middle East diplomacy.
