Macron: France may recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September

Palestinian and Hamas officials welcomed the French president's decision. Israel and the United States condemned it. Macron's statement on recognizing Palestine is one of the most discussed topics in foreign media

President Emmanuel Macron said France plans to recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. He wrote that it is “essential to end the war in Gaza and provide assistance to the civilian population,” to demilitarize Hamas and “ensure security.” Palestinian and Hamas officials welcomed Macron’s decision. Israel and the United States condemned it.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was an existential threat to Israel and called France’s plans “a reward for terror,” especially after the October 7 tragedy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called President Macron’s decision “reckless,” which “only serves Hamas propaganda and sets the peace process back.” Macron’s statement recognizing Palestine is one of the most discussed topics in foreign media.

Al Jazeera believes that recognizing Palestine makes France the largest and perhaps most influential country in Europe to take such a step. The publication notes that Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized Palestine last year. And that Macron's statement comes amid growing anger in Europe over Israel's war in the Gaza Strip.

The Times of Israel writes that France's recognition of Palestine is purely symbolic if it is carried out without cooperation from Israel. A Palestinian state can only be created as a result of negotiations between both sides of the conflict. At the same time, the current Israeli government is not interested in such negotiations or in a two-state solution. Consequently, this format can only be achieved through diplomatic pressure, apparently on Israel.

If France does recognize Palestine, it will likely irritate US President Trump, The New York Times writes. The head of the White House apparently does not want to put pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu to end the war in the Gaza Strip. Against this background, Macron apparently believes that the moment has come to distance himself from the United States.

His tense relationship with the White House over disagreements over Ukraine, tariffs and personal insults has had an impact. The publication notes that Macron's statement does not make it clear what specific territory France might recognize as the State of Palestine. Macron has repeatedly demonstrated in his eight years in power that he is a risk-taker by nature, but has not always prepared the ground sufficiently for his adventures to bear fruit, the publication writes.

According to Bloomberg , British Prime Minister Starmer is facing pressure from President Macron and his own cabinet to immediately recognise Palestine as a sovereign state. In recent months, the French leader has been trying to persuade the British to jointly issue a statement recognising Palestine, and now that Macron has made the announcement himself, the pressure is mounting on Starmer. He has said a ceasefire would put London “on the path” to recognition, but has given no timeframe.