France Recognizes Palestinian Statehood at UN Amid Push for Peace/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ France formally recognized Palestine during a high-profile UN meeting focused on reviving the two-state solution. The announcement, joined by several European states, followed similar recognitions by the U.K., Canada, Australia, and Portugal. Israel and the U.S. condemned the move, warning it rewards Hamas as the Gaza war rages on.
Quick Look
- Event: UN General Assembly meeting on Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Key announcement: French President Emmanuel Macron recognizes Palestinian statehood.
- Other recognitions: Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco joined U.K., Canada, Australia, Portugal.
- Palestinian Authority: Mahmoud Abbas spoke via video after U.S. visa denial, urging “enough violence.”
- Israel’s stance: Netanyahu rejects Palestinian state, threatens annexation of West Bank.
- UN position: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls Palestinian statehood “a right, not a reward.”
- International support: Over 145 nations now recognize Palestine; GA recently backed a phased plan.
- Outlook: Push for recognition deepens divides, while war in Gaza and stalled peace talks continue.
Deep Look
France Takes Historic Step at UN
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — France became the latest Western power to recognize Palestinian statehood on Monday, using the opening of a high-level UN meeting to push forward momentum for a two-state solution amid the ongoing Gaza war.
French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement before a packed General Assembly hall, earning sustained applause from more than 140 leaders. Members of the Palestinian delegation, including Ambassador Riyad Mansour, stood in visible celebration.
“True to the historic commitment of my country to the Middle East, to peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, this is why I declare that today, France recognizes the state of Palestine,” Macron said.
European Support Expands
Alongside France, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco confirmed recognition of a Palestinian state. Their announcements followed Sunday’s decision by the U.K., Canada, Australia, and Portugal.
However, key nations such as Germany, Italy, and Japan stopped short, participating in the meeting but withholding recognition.
In total, more than three-fourths of UN member states now recognize Palestine, though the move carries limited immediate impact on the ground, where Israeli forces are expanding military operations in Gaza and intensifying settlement activity in the West Bank.
UN Stands Firm on Statehood
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that Palestinian statehood should not be seen as conditional. “Statehood for the Palestinians is a right, not a reward,” he said, implicitly challenging Israel’s assertion that recognition encourages Hamas.
The two-year Gaza war, triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, continues to dominate the assembly’s agenda. Israel’s government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, argues that recognition effectively rewards Hamas, which still holds influence in parts of Gaza.
Abbas Appeals for Peace
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, unable to attend in person after the U.S. revoked his visa, addressed the gathering by video. He condemned both Hamas’ 2023 attack and Israel’s ongoing strikes, calling for an end to civilian deaths.
Abbas highlighted reforms in the Palestinian Authority (PA), including scrapping payments to families of Palestinians killed or jailed by Israel — a longstanding U.S. and Israeli demand. He also urged Israelis directly: “Enough violence and war.”
The PA governs parts of the West Bank, recognizes Israel, and supports a two-state solution, though it faces accusations of corruption and authoritarianism from many Palestinians.
Israel’s Response: Rejection and Threats
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the recognition wave, insisting a Palestinian state would “reward Hamas.” He warned Israel might respond with unilateral annexation of West Bank territory, a step that would make a two-state solution virtually impossible.
Netanyahu is under pressure from his far-right coalition, though allies like the United Arab Emirates — a signatory of the 2020 Abraham Accords — have warned annexation would be a “red line.”
Netanyahu said he will finalize Israel’s response after his meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House next week. He is scheduled to address the UN on Friday.
U.S. Opposition and Failed Ceasefire Talks
The Trump administration has strongly opposed the growing recognition campaign. U.S. officials argue it has derailed ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. Earlier this month, Israel targeted Hamas negotiators in Qatar, further complicating mediation efforts.
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, abandoned talks in July. Washington continues to back Israel’s position that Palestinian statehood must be reached only through direct negotiations.
Two-State Solution Still in Focus
Despite divisions, the UN General Assembly on Sept. 12 overwhelmingly supported a France-Saudi phased plan, in which a reformed Palestinian Authority would govern Gaza and the West Bank with international assistance. The vote was 142–10, with 12 abstentions.
Hamas, which won the last Palestinian elections in 2006, remains committed to a broader claim of all territory between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River, though it has occasionally signaled openness to a state based on 1967 borders.
Why Recognition Matters
While recognition may not change the reality on the ground, advocates argue it keeps the two-state vision alive. Without it, Israel faces a stark choice: indefinite occupation of millions of Palestinians without equal rights, or the creation of a binational state that could undermine Israel’s Jewish identity.
As Abbas put it: “We are a people who deserve to have a state.”
You must Register or Login to post a comment.