France to recognise Palestinian state as Europe accelerates two-state push

France will formally recognise a Palestinian state in New York on Monday, a move that signals a new phase in Europe’s approach to the long-stalled two-state solution and comes as Paris coordinates with other governments at the United Nations General Assembly. President Emmanuel Macron described the step as a “necessity” and said it would be the beginning of a political process and a comprehensive peace and security plan for everyone involved. The decision mirrors actions by the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia in recent days and reflects a broader European push to recalibrate diplomacy in the Middle East.

France will not be joined in this first wave by Germany or Italy, two other major European powers, nor by the United States. Paris is coordinating the effort with Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the UN gathering, and French officials stressed that the move is intended to shift the dynamic rather than impose a unilateral settlement. In Paris, the foreign ministry stressed that recognising a Palestinian state is a political calculation aimed at reviving negotiations toward a two-state solution, even as the security situation remains volatile in Gaza and across the region.

Israel immediately criticized the move, with officials calling it a reward for Hamas. The Israeli ambassador to the United Nations described Monday’s event as a circus, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that there will be no Palestinian state west of the River Jordan. President Isaac Herzog argued that recognition could embolden “the forces of darkness.” In Paris, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Macron’s announcement should be understood as a symbolic and immediate step that demonstrates France’s commitment to the two-state solution while clearly rejecting Hamas’s actions. Barrot described the move as a diplomatic victory for France, while stressing that the broader strategy would be executed in phases.

Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and the microstates of Andorra and San Marino were cited as preparing to announce formal recognition, with Portugal also declaring support late on Sunday. Spain and Norway had already recognised a Palestinian state in a previous year, but Macron’s move is seen by some observers as a symbolic gamble rather than a material change on the ground. Ahead of the French announcement, Palestinian and Israeli flags were displayed on the Eiffel Tower on Sunday night, and several French towns flew Palestinian flags on Monday as local authorities sought to show solidarity, despite a government directive urging neutrality. Public transport and some ports in France were not disrupted, but demonstrations supporting the Palestinians were reported in several cities around the country.

Elsewhere in Europe, Italy witnessed protests in dozens of towns and cities as pro-Palestinian demonstrations pressed on. The government of Giorgia Meloni indicated that recognising a state that does not yet exist could be counterproductive, reflecting a delicate balance between diplomacy and domestic political concerns as authorities prepared to respond to events in Gaza and the broader region.

Germany’s stance was explicit: Palestinian statehood is not currently a topic of debate, and the government indicated that formal recognition would come at the end of a process rather than at the outset. Foreign Minister Lars Wadephul, who left for New York on Monday, stressed that while Germany remains a close ally of Israel, it supports a process that begins with a broader regional framework. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has grown more critical of Israel’s military action in Gaza in recent weeks, adding nuance to Berlin’s approach as EU officials have toughened their language on the crisis. In parallel, European Union leaders have called for an end to the daily violence and for a pathway to a sustainable settlement.

EU officials, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have urged restraint and emphasized the need to push for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief, while supporting a political process that could eventually lead to a two-state framework. Von der Leyen has warned against allowing the conflict to erode the prospects for a negotiated peace and has called for coordinated international pressure to end the hostilities and to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Macron outlined a phased approach during a CBS News interview conducted ahead of the formal announcement. The first stage would focus on a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the stabilization of Gaza. The second stage would address governance and reconstruction in Gaza, while the third package would present the perspective of two states and a framework for long-term governance. Macron stressed that opening a French embassy in the Palestinian territories would be contingent on the release of hostages still held by Hamas.

Domestic political reactions in France were swift. Some opponents argued that recognising a state while hostilities continue could be seen as rewarding violence. Jordan Bardella, the far-right leader of the National Rally, called the move a mistake and warned that it risks rewarding atrocities committed on October 7, 2023, and could complicate efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages.

The broader historical and geopolitical context remains complex. While France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia are among the first to recognise a Palestinian state, other major powers have signaled caution or opposition. The United States has not joined the recognitions, and Germany and Italy have said they would not move in that direction at this stage. The EU’s stance has grown more assertive in recent weeks, with leaders urging both sides toward restraint and a return to negotiations under a multilateral framework that could guide a future two-state settlement. In Paris, officials emphasised that the recognition is intended to catalyze negotiations, not to prejudge borders or security arrangements. Whether the move will translate into tangible gains on the ground remains uncertain, but it marks a significant diplomatic shift as Europe seeks to recalibrate its role in a crisis that has spanned more than a decade and intensified over the past year.