France Recognizes Palestine as State Amid Escalating Gaza Crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France recognizes Palestine as a sovereign state, becoming the most influential Western power to do so. Macron revealed the decision on Thursday, citing the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza and calling for an immediate ceasefire.

“The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,” Macron posted on X.

The recognition will be formalized during the U.N. General Assembly in September, according to Macron. Over 140 nations already recognize a Palestinian state, but France’s move carries major symbolic weight, especially among Western allies.

Israel and the U.S. React

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, calling it “a reward for terror” following the October 7 Hamas attacks. He warned that a Palestinian state under current conditions could serve as “a launch pad to annihilate Israel.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed similar concerns, saying on X, “This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace.”

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority expressed gratitude. Hussein Al Sheikh, the PLO’s vice president, praised the move as “a reflection of France’s commitment to international law and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.”

Diplomatic Momentum Builds

France’s decision arrives just days before it co-hosts a U.N. conference with Saudi Arabia focused on reviving the two-state solution. Macron has consistently supported Israel’s right to defend itself, but he has grown increasingly critical of the ongoing war in Gaza.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined calls for a ceasefire, stating:

“Statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis.”

The French recognition follows rising international criticism of Israel’s aid blockade and recent incidents of Palestinian deaths while attempting to access food. Over two dozen European nations have publicly denounced these actions.

A Turning Point for Middle East Diplomacy?

The decision signals a shift in diplomatic dynamics. With stalled peace talks since 2009 and over 500,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, the recognition could pressure both sides back to the table. The international community, including the United Nations, continues to back the two-state solution as the only viable path forward.

Source: AP News