Department of Strategic Research, Studies and International Relations 23-09-2025

In a historic and politically charged move, France has officially recognised the State of Palestine, joining a growing coalition of nations pressing for justice and sovereignty for the Palestinian people. The announcement came during a high-level summit at the United Nations in New York, where French President Emmanuel Macron also outlined a plan for a UN-backed international stabilisation mission in Gaza.

“The time has come to end the massacres and the suffering,” Macron declared before the General Assembly, adding that justice demanded recognition of Palestinian statehood across Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. His remarks were met with strong applause and standing ovations from numerous delegations, while the Palestinian Authority hailed France’s step as “historic and courageous.”

Yet, as momentum builds among much of the international community, the United States and Israel have chosen isolation, boycotting the summit and dismissing the initiative. Washington has continued to use its veto power to block Palestine’s full UN membership, while Israeli officials condemned the conference as a “circus.”

France’s announcement was not a solitary act. Five other European states, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and Monaco, also moved to formally recognise Palestine, joining Spain, Norway, and Ireland who had taken similar steps last year. The United Kingdom, Canada, Portugal, and Australia expressed support for Palestinian statehood during the summit, with London recently recognising Palestine along the 1949 armistice lines.

This surge of recognitions means that nearly three-quarters of UN member states, more than 80% of the global community, now officially acknowledge Palestinian sovereignty. For Israel, already facing international condemnation over its ongoing assault on Gaza, the development signals a deepening diplomatic crisis.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez underlined the gravity of the moment, describing the Palestinian plight as genocide. “The people of Palestine are being annihilated. In the name of international law and human dignity, this slaughter must end,” he said, calling for Palestine to be granted full UN membership.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed that Palestinian statehood is a fundamental right, not a bargaining chip. “Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” he said, condemning both the ongoing expansion of illegal Israeli settlements and the prospect of annexation of the West Bank.

The recognition wave also carries strong backing from the Global South. Russia, China, India, and much of the Arab and Muslim world have long championed Palestinian statehood as the only path toward genuine peace. Saudi Arabia, co-chairing the New York summit alongside France, emphasised that Israel’s aggression in Gaza and its attacks on Arab states “threaten international peace and stability.”

Moscow and Beijing have both repeatedly condemned Israel’s war on Gaza as disproportionate and in violation of international humanitarian law. India, while historically balancing its ties with Israel, has increasingly highlighted the need for justice for the Palestinians, particularly as the international tide turns toward multipolar cooperation.

France’s stabilisation force proposal

Beyond recognition, Macron unveiled a plan for an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to operate in postwar Gaza under a UN mandate. The proposed mission would provide security, oversee the disarmament of Hamas, and help train Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces to take over governance in Gaza.

France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, insisted that this plan was not an endorsement of Hamas but a step toward a renewed Palestinian Authority capable of leading Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The initiative, supported by several Arab states, aims to pave the way for a viable two-state framework while marginalising extremist elements.

The Arab League, however, has stressed that Hamas must relinquish power peacefully and transfer governance to a reformed PA, while also warning that annexation of any Palestinian territory would be a red line.

U.S. and Israel out of step

The United States, under President Donald Trump’s second administration, has doubled down on its hostility toward Palestinian aspirations. Trump has imposed sanctions on PA officials and even barred President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the summit in person, forcing him to deliver his remarks via video. Abbas thanked the 149 nations that have recognised Palestine, urging others to follow suit and calling on Hamas to hand over its weapons to the PA.

Trump, who plans to meet Arab leaders on the sidelines of the UNGA, has shown no indication of supporting Palestinian sovereignty. Instead, his administration has framed recognition as a “reward for Hamas,” an argument many world leaders reject.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, continues to insist on maintaining overall security control even if a Palestinian civilian authority takes root. His right-wing coalition has openly flirted with the idea of annexing Gaza, while Israel’s ongoing withholding of Palestinian tax revenues has pushed the PA to the brink of financial collapse.

Mounting casualties and global outrage

As diplomatic manoeuvres unfolded in New York, Israel intensified its military assault on Gaza City, killing at least 37 Palestinians in one night alone, including many women and children. The enclave, already reduced to rubble, has seen more than 65,000 deaths since the war began, figures that reinforce accusations of genocide.

Despite mounting humanitarian catastrophe, Israel has dismissed calls for restraint, framing its actions as part of a campaign to destroy Hamas. Yet international observers note that civilian infrastructure, hospitals, and schools remain the primary targets, leading to widespread famine, displacement, and suffering.

Europe’s divided position

While France and several European states have taken decisive steps toward recognition, others, such as Germany, remain cautious. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul argued that Palestinian recognition should come “at the end of the process” rather than the beginning. Still, he admitted that annexation of occupied territory would undermine any chance of peace.

The United Kingdom has adopted a middle position, recognising Palestine while urging Israel not to escalate further by annexing parts of the West Bank. London’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warned that “settlement expansion and settler violence threaten the viability of a Palestinian state.”

The international response to France’s announcement underscores a deeper global realignment. As U.S. influence wanes, multipolar powers like China, Russia, and India are stepping into more assertive diplomatic roles, aligning with the Global South in demanding justice for Palestine.

For decades, Washington shielded Israel diplomatically, vetoing every attempt at accountability. But today, even close U.S. allies are breaking ranks, recognising that sustainable peace cannot be achieved under Israeli occupation and American obstruction.

As the UN marks its 80th anniversary, the momentum for Palestinian statehood may well define the next phase of global politics, one in which Western hegemony gives way to a more balanced, multipolar order led by diverse coalitions across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe.

Conclusion

France’s recognition of Palestine, joined by a wave of other states, represents a turning point in the long struggle for Palestinian sovereignty. While the U.S. and Israel continue to resist, their isolation on the world stage is undeniable. With China, Russia, India, and much of the Global South standing firmly behind Palestinian rights, the path toward a two-state solution may finally be gaining the momentum needed to overcome decades of deadlock.

What remains clear is that the era of unconditional U.S. support for Israel is increasingly at odds with the international consensus. The question is no longer if Palestine will gain full statehood, but when.