French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will officially recognise the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN session in September, becoming the most influential European nation to take this step.
The move comes amid growing calls for a two-state solution after nearly two years of Israeli bombardment in Gaza. 142 countries have now recognised Palestine, while more are expected to follow.
How the world reacted:
✅ Palestinian Authority welcomed the decision, with senior official Hussein al-Sheikh saying it reflects France’s “support for the Palestinian right to self-determination.”
✅ Hamas called it a “positive step” toward justice, urging other countries to follow France’s lead.
✅ Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez, whose country already recognises Palestine, praised Macron for protecting the “two-state solution.”
✅ Saudi Arabia called the move “historic” and urged other nations to support Palestinian statehood.
✅ Jordan hailed it as a step toward ending the occupation and achieving peace.
❌ Israel, however, slammed the move. PM Netanyahu said it “rewards terror” and risks creating “another Iranian proxy like Gaza.”
❌ The United States strongly opposed the decision, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it “reckless” and harmful to peace efforts.
The announcement highlights Europe’s growing divide with Israel and the US over the Palestinian issue. Macron’s decision could trigger a wave of similar recognitions by other European nations, reshaping the Middle East peace landscape.