France’s recognition of Palestine must be accompanied by concrete diplomatic pressure on Israel

On July 24, French President Emmanuel Macron made a striking announcement: France will formally recognize the State of Palestine, a move to be officially declared at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The statement, posted on social media, was as much a declaration of France’s ongoing commitment to Palestinian rights as it was a calculated attempt to affirm France’s relevance on the global diplomatic stage. But how significant is this move really? And what does it mean for Palestinians on the ground – and for the broader international community?

This announcement did not come out of nowhere. Macron had previously hinted at his intention to recognize Palestine, including in speeches to foreign audiences such as the UK Parliament. Now, with just two years left in his presidency, this recognition could be seen as an effort to carve out a lasting legacy. France, after all, is the first G7 member state to take this step, joining a club of 147 countries worldwide who already recognize Palestine as a sovereign state.

Within the European Union, the move is significant. Only a handful of EU members-Sweden, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia-have recognized Palestine while maintaining full EU membership. Other European countries such as Poland and Hungary recognized Palestine during the Cold War era, but these recognitions came from communist bloc states and not from Western European powers. France’s decision, therefore, marks an important milestone for the West.

France’s recognition may prompt other countries to reconsider their positions. Belgium, known for its vocal criticism of Israeli policies, appears poised to join in September. Canada, a traditional ally of the US, might also take a step towards recognition, though its government has been more cautious. On the other hand, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has already distanced herself from the idea, and Germany remains firmly opposed to any such recognition for now.

One particularly noteworthy absence is the United Kingdom. Many hoped that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer would align with France, presenting a united front between two former colonial powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council. Such coordination could have sent a powerful symbolic message. Yet, despite strong advocacy from 221 British parliamentarians pushing for recognition, Starmer declined, choosing to side implicitly with the United States under President Donald Trump’s shadowy influence. This decision deprived the announcement of additional diplomatic heft.

While Macron’s declaration has been lauded by some politicians and Western media outlets, many Palestinians have greeted it with skepticism or even indifference. The fundamental question they ask is: why now? Why has France waited until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has reached a devastating low point-where Gaza is aflame and the West Bank faces unprecedented settlement expansions-to finally make this gesture?

For Palestinians suffering under siege and bombardment, symbolic gestures like state recognition carry little weight. In Gaza, where humanitarian needs are dire, and access to food, water, and medical supplies is severely restricted, survival depends on concrete relief and ceasefires, not diplomatic declarations. Many Palestinians would prioritize ending the violence and securing aid over state recognition at the UN, which, while politically meaningful, cannot provide immediate relief or protection.

Critics, especially from the United States and Israel, have been quick to dismiss Macron’s recognition as a cynical ploy aimed at appeasing France’s sizable Muslim population or courting investment from wealthy Gulf states. This interpretation, however, misses the broader context of French public opinion, where support for Palestinian rights enjoys significant and widespread backing.

Another common argument, promoted by figures such as US Senator Marco Rubio, is that France’s move is somehow a reward for Hamas following its violent actions in October 2023. This notion is easily debunked. Hamas is widely known for its rejection of Israel’s existence and its refusal to engage in negotiations toward a two-state solution. The French recognition is not an endorsement of Hamas but rather a gesture of support toward the Palestinian national movement led by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and dominated by Fatah.

The PLO has long sought Palestinian statehood through diplomacy and negotiation, explicitly renouncing armed struggle, while Israel has refused to reciprocate with mutual recognition or meaningful concessions. This unilateral recognition by France is, in effect, an endorsement of the PLO’s political strategy and a rebuke of Israel’s continued refusal to recognize a Palestinian state.

This distinction is crucial. Hamas and the PLO represent competing visions for Palestinian liberation, with Hamas continuing armed resistance and the PLO advocating diplomacy. Macron’s move aligns with the European approach of supporting the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, despite its many flaws and perceived failures.

In the eyes of many Palestinians, the refusal of international powers to recognize Palestine has inadvertently strengthened Hamas by undermining the PLO’s credibility and ability to negotiate effectively. Recognition is thus not only a political statement to Israel but also a strategic move to bolster the nationalist, diplomatic faction within Palestinian politics over the Islamist militants.

France’s recognition is a step forward symbolically but remains limited in its practical impact. The Palestinian leadership may welcome the gesture, but for Palestinians enduring daily violence and deprivation, the recognition is hollow without accompanying actions.

Macron and other world leaders face a moral reckoning. If they genuinely wish to support Palestinian self-determination and end the cycle of violence, recognition must be accompanied by concrete diplomatic pressure on Israel, immediate humanitarian relief, and an end to the blockade and occupation.

So far, France-and the international community at large-have fallen short. The ongoing violence in Gaza, the lack of safe zones, and restricted access to essential supplies paint a grim picture. Until the bombing stops, aid flows freely, and peace talks resume with real leverage, state recognition remains little more than a symbolic gesture.

Emmanuel Macron deserves credit for breaking the diplomatic inertia and affirming France’s support for Palestinian statehood. In a world where many governments choose silence or tacit support for Israeli policies, this is a noteworthy development.

Yet, symbolism alone will not save lives or end the decades-long conflict. The real test for France and other nations will be whether recognition leads to substantive action-whether diplomatic, humanitarian, or political-to halt the ongoing suffering in Palestine.

For Palestinians, recognition is no substitute for survival. For the international community, it is a reminder that moral responsibility demands more than words. Without urgent action to stop the violence and address the humanitarian crisis, recognition risks becoming just another empty promise amid a tragic stalemate.