France Recognises Palestinian State at UN Summit
<h3>France Formally Recognises Palestinian State at UN Summit</h3><p>In a historic diplomatic move, <strong>France has officially recognised Palestine as an independent state</strong>, joining a growing list of Western nations shifting their stance on the decades-long conflict. The announcement came during a <strong>United Nations conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia</strong>, where leaders called for an immediate halt to the ongoing war in Gaza.</p><h3>Macron’s Call for Mutual Recognition</h3><p>French President <strong>Emmanuel Macron</strong> addressed the summit in New York, making an impassioned plea for peace.</p><blockquote><p>“One solution exists to break the cycle of war and destruction: acknowledging each other,” Macron said. “We must recognise that Palestinians and Israelis are living in twin solitude. Nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza.”</p></blockquote><p>Macron stressed that France’s recognition of Palestine was not intended as a reward for Hamas but rather as a step toward a <strong>two-state solution</strong>. He added that France could open a <strong>Palestinian embassy</strong> once hostages held by Hamas are released and the conflict subsides.</p><h3>Saudi Arabia Echoes the Call</h3><p>Saudi Foreign Minister <strong>Faisal bin Farhan</strong>, speaking on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reiterated Riyadh’s long-standing support for Palestinian statehood. While the kingdom recognised Palestine decades ago, its renewed call at the UN highlighted the urgency of ending the Gaza war, which has now entered its <strong>second year</strong> with devastating humanitarian consequences.</p><h3>A Wave of International Recognition</h3><p>The French move was part of a coordinated initiative. Over the weekend, <strong>the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal</strong> also formally recognised Palestine. On Monday, <strong>Monaco, Luxembourg, and Malta</strong> followed suit.</p><p>With these additions, nearly <strong>150 UN member states now recognise Palestinian statehood</strong>. However, key global powers, including the <strong>United States, Germany, and Japan</strong>, continue to withhold recognition.</p><h3>Mounting Pressure on Israel</h3><p>The push for recognition underscores Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation. While the United States remains its closest ally, Israel faces increasing criticism from Europe and beyond.</p><p>The <strong>European Union</strong>, Israel’s largest trading partner, is even weighing the suspension of preferential trade agreements in response to the war. Meanwhile, <strong>Israeli stocks have become the world’s worst performers in dollar terms over the past two weeks</strong>, reflecting investor concerns over a prolonged conflict.</p><p>Israeli Prime Minister <strong>Benjamin Netanyahu</strong> dismissed the recognitions as an attempt to “force upon us a terror state in the heart of our land,” declaring:</p><blockquote><p>“There will be no Palestinian state.”</p></blockquote><p>Netanyahu is expected to outline Israel’s formal response in his upcoming address to the UN General Assembly, followed by a meeting with former US President Donald Trump at the White House.</p><h3>The Humanitarian Crisis</h3><p>The urgency of these recognitions comes against the backdrop of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on <strong>October 7, 2023</strong>, which killed 1,200 people and led to 250 hostages being taken, Israel’s military campaign has claimed over <strong>65,000 lives</strong>, according to Gaza’s health ministry.</p><p>A UN-backed monitor recently declared a <strong>famine in parts of Gaza</strong>, following months of Israeli restrictions on aid and supplies. Despite international condemnation, Israel has pressed ahead with a <strong>new ground offensive in Gaza City</strong>, which officials warn could last for months.</p><h3>Palestinian Perspective</h3><p>Palestinian Authority President <strong>Mahmoud Abbas</strong> addressed the UN summit via video, thanking participating nations for their recognition. He condemned Hamas’s October 2023 assault but insisted that <strong>Hamas should play no role in future Palestinian governance</strong>.</p><blockquote><p>“What we want is one unified state without weapons,” Abbas said.</p></blockquote><p>For Palestinians, the recognitions represent a <strong>symbolic yet significant step forward</strong> in their decades-long quest for sovereignty, even if immediate political changes remain unlikely.</p><h3>Analysts Weigh In</h3><p>Experts suggest the recognitions could be a turning point. <strong>Dina Esfandiary</strong>, head of Middle East geoeconomics at Bloomberg Economics, noted:</p><blockquote><p>“In the short term, the practical impact of the recognitions is likely to be limited. But it could pave the way for more consequential pressure on Israel over the war in Gaza.”</p></blockquote><p>The initiative, led by France and Saudi Arabia, highlights how the <strong>Gaza war has accelerated global support for Palestinian statehood</strong>, shifting Western policy in unprecedented ways.</p><h3>Looking Ahead</h3><p>As recognition spreads, the momentum could reshape international diplomacy. Supporters argue that recognising Palestine strengthens the case for a <strong>two-state solution</strong>, while critics warn it risks emboldening Hamas and further destabilising the region.</p><p>Either way, the French-Saudi-led summit has sent a powerful signal: the world is no longer willing to stand by as the war drags on. For many nations, recognition of Palestine is now seen not just as a diplomatic gesture, but as an urgent step toward ending one of the world’s longest and bloodiest conflicts.</p>