French President Emmanuel Macron announced on July 24 that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. 

France would become the first major Western power to take such a step, which, Macron said, is aimed at bolstering efforts toward a lasting peace in the Middle East.

In a formal letter addressed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, which Macron shared on the platforms X and Instagram, the French president said, “In line with France’s historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. I will make this declaration official during the UN General Assembly this September.”

Macron expressed hope that this recognition would catalyse renewed diplomatic efforts and a sustainable two-state solution.

“The urgent priority now is to stop the war in Gaza and to deliver humanitarian aid to its civilian population,” he wrote. “Peace is possible, but it requires an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and large-scale humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. It is also essential to ensure the disarmament of Hamas and the security and reconstruction of the Strip.”

The French president confirmed that building a viable Palestinian state must go hand in hand with ensuring its capacity to contribute to regional stability and security.

“We must work simultaneously on building the Palestinian state and ensuring its viability—one that can contribute to the security of all parties in the region through disarmament and full recognition of the State of Israel,” Macron said.

He added, “There is no alternative to this path. The French people want peace in the Middle East, and achieving it is a shared responsibility between France, the Israelis, the Palestinians, and our European and international partners.”

He concluded: “Based on the commitments I have received from President Abbas, I have confirmed to him my determination to move forward with this initiative. Through trust, clarity, and determination—we will achieve peace.”

Hussein al-Sheikh, deputy head of the Palestinian Authority, welcomed Macron’s announcement. He described the move as a reflection of France’s commitment to international law.

In a post on X, al-Sheikh expressed gratitude to Macron for his letter addressed to Abbas and also extended thanks to Saudi Arabia for what he called “the significant efforts made alongside France to secure recognition of the Palestinian state”.

On the other hand, Israeli officials strongly condemned France’s decision. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that such a move would “reward terrorism and risk creating another Iranian proxy, just as happened in Gaza”.

He continued: “Establishing a Palestinian state under these conditions would be a platform for the destruction of Israel, not for peaceful coexistence beside it.”

Netanyahu added, “Let’s be clear: the Palestinians are not seeking a state alongside Israel; they are seeking a state instead of Israel.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also denounced the French move, writing on X, “The French president’s claim that he can dictate a final-status solution on our land with a mere declaration is absurd and unserious.”

He added, “A Palestinian state would be a Hamas state,” and further claimed, “Macron cannot guarantee security for Israel.”

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed the criticism, calling Macron’s announcement “a disgrace, a surrender to terrorism, and a reward and show of support for Hamas.” Posting on X, he wrote, “Instead of standing with Israel in this time of crisis, the president of France is working to weaken it.”

He added, “We will not allow the creation of a Palestinian entity that endangers our security, threatens our existence, and undermines our historical right to the Land of Israel. We are united in our determination to repel this grave danger.”

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voiced similar outrage, saying on X, "I thank President Macron for providing yet another compelling reason to finally apply Israeli sovereignty over the historic areas of Judea and Samaria and to permanently abandon the failed idea of establishing a terrorist Palestinian state in the heart of the Land of Israel.”

Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin denounced the move as “a black mark in French history and a direct endorsement of terrorism.” He went on to say, "This shameful decision means it is now time to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, which we have controlled since 1967.”

According to the newspaper Haaretz, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed Levin’s remarks, stating that Israel’s best response to the French recognition would be to formally annex the West Bank.

US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticised the French move, sarcastically suggesting that Macron “offer part of his own land to the Palestinians”.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that he will hold emergency talks on July 25 with the leaders of France and Germany to address the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, which he described as marked by “indescribable and indefensible suffering and famine”.

In a statement carried by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Starmer urged Israel to immediately allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, stressing the need for urgent international coordination.

“I will hold an emergency call tomorrow with our European trio partners—France and Germany—to discuss what we can urgently do to stop the killings and get people the food they desperately need,” he said.

Starmer added that a future ceasefire in Gaza must serve as a step toward recognising Palestinian statehood.

“A ceasefire will put us on the road to a two-state solution that guarantees peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis,” Starmer declared.

Starmer confirmed that statehood is an inalienable right for the Palestinian people and reiterated his support for a two-state solution.

The remarks come amid increasing European pressure on Israel and growing international calls for an end to hostilities in Gaza, as well as broader diplomatic movement—including France’s recent announcement that it will officially recognise the State of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed France’s decision, stating that this move strengthens the prospects for peace in the region. In contrast, Germany has voiced reservations, cautioning that such recognition at this stage would send the “wrong signal”.