France Recognises Palestinian State at UN, Joins Push for Two-State Peace Plan

France formally recognised the state of Palestine on Monday, with President Emmanuel Macron announcing the move at the United Nations in New York. He said “the time for peace has come” and that “nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza,” signaling Paris’s shift as the country and Saudi Arabia organize a one-day summit at the UN General Assembly to outline plans for a two-state solution. Macron also made clear that France would tie any embassy move to progress on hostages and a ceasefire, noting that an embassy to a Palestinian state would open only after all hostages held by Hamas are released and a ceasefire is in place. The announcement comes as a broader wave of countries follows suit, with the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal having already recognised a Palestinian state, and Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra and San Marino confirming similar steps.

International pressure is intensifying over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the fate of Palestinians under Israeli control in the West Bank. Israel has argued that recognition of a Palestinian state would reward Hamas for the 7 October 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 people and hostage about 251 others. The war has also drawn condemnation over civilian casualties in Gaza; the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict escalated.

In parallel to the recognition, French officials said Paris is prepared to contribute to a stabilization mission in Gaza and to back a transitional administration that would oversee the dismantling of Hamas and ensure a pathway to a two-state framework. Macron stressed that the international community has a responsibility to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state “side by side in peace and security.” He warned against the “peril of endless wars” and insisted that “right must always prevail over might.”

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud spoke at the UN on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and reaffirmed that a two-state solution remains the only route to lasting peace. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres characterized the Gaza situation as “morally, legally and politically intolerable” and reiterated that a two-state solution is the “only credible path” to peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, appearing via videolink after being barred from attending the UN General Assembly in person, called for a permanent ceasefire and said Hamas must renounce its weapons and surrender control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. “What we want is one unified state without weapons,” Abbas said, underscoring that the Palestinian leadership envisions a sovereign state alongside Israel.

On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted there will be no Palestinian state west of the River Jordan, while President Isaac Herzog warned that recognising a Palestinian state could embolden those opposed to peace. Earlier, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Dannon, rejected the idea of a two-state solution being revived, telling reporters that the framework had been “off the table” after Hamas’s attack and describing this week’s discussions at the UN as a “charade.” Dannon did not rule out the possibility of further action, including the potential for annexation in parts of the West Bank, depending on security circumstances.

Domestically, the French response has been mixed in tone across the political spectrum. Ahead of Macron’s announcement, Palestinian and Israeli flags were displayed on the Eiffel Tower, and several French towns flew Palestinian flags in a show of support, despite a government order urging neutrality at local levels. In Italy, widespread protests occurred in about 80 towns and cities as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government cautioned that recognising a non-existent state could be counter-productive. Germany’s stance has been more cautious; Berlin has said Palestinian statehood is not currently under debate, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stating that recognition “comes more at the end of the process, but this process must begin now.”

The unfolding diplomatic activity arrives as international actors seek to pressure Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the plight of civilians, and the long-term question of a sustainable political settlement. The broader objective remains a two-state solution that would see Israel and a Palestinian state coexist with defined borders, security arrangements and mutual recognition. The UN and the United States have underscored that any pathway to peace must include a permanent ceasefire, an end to hostilities, and credible security guarantees for both peoples.

France’s presidency made clear that its recognition of Palestine reflects a belief that there is no viable peace without a viable Palestinian state, and that international partners must pursue a transitional governance framework to prevent a collapse into further violence. The government did not indicate an immediate plan to merge its recognition with immediate top-level policy changes, but stressed that the move is part of a broader effort to create conditions for talks that could lead to a genuine two-state arrangement. As the General Assembly session continues, observers will watch to see whether Paris’s step prompts further shifts in European capitals and whether allied powers align behind a renewed push for a negotiated settlement amid ongoing fighting and humanitarian concerns in Gaza.