France to formally recognize Palestinian state ahead of UN General Assembly

France is set to formally recognize the State of Palestine during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, joining a growing number of countries taking similar diplomatic steps.

The announcement was made by President Emmanuel Macron, who stressed that political recognition of Palestine provides a path toward a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and aims to counter extremism in the region.

Macron outlined a three-part approach: formal recognition of Palestine, a ceasefire framework tied to hostage releases, and long-term support for a two-state solution.

He emphasized that military measures alone cannot eliminate Hamas and warned that a lack of political solutions could drive Palestinian civilians toward radicalization.

The move has drawn criticism from both Israel and the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned France’s decision, warning of potential retaliation, including the annexation of parts of the West Bank.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described France’s recognition as “a reckless decision” that serves Hamas propaganda.

France’s decision comes amid a wider international trend. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal have recently recognized Palestinian statehood, while other nations, including Belgium, are considering similar actions.

These coordinated diplomatic steps aim to support the two-state solution and counter Israeli policies that critics say undermine Palestinian statehood.

The UN General Assembly is expected to play a central role in this diplomatic shift. A summit co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia will gather world leaders to rally support for a two-state solution.

While the summit could boost Palestinian morale, immediate changes on the ground are not anticipated, as the Israeli government has declared it will not recognize a Palestinian state at present.

France’s recognition of Palestine highlights its ongoing commitment to a two-state framework and represents a significant diplomatic move in the context of the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict.