UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal also recognised Palestine over the weekend
France has recognized Palestine as an independent state. At a UN conference they co-led with Saudi Arabia, both countries urged Israel to immediately end the war in Gaza.
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that “the only solution to break the cycle of war and destruction is acknowledging each other.” He went on to say that “nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza,” noting that “Palestinians and Israelis are living in twin solitude.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, reading out a message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who wasn’t in New York, echoed those comments. The kingdom recognized Palestine decades ago, along with many other Arab and Muslim-majority nations.
The push by France and Saudi Arabia for more countries to recognize Palestinian statehood highlights the increasing concern among world powers about the devastation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the war between Israel and Hamas has raged for almost two years. There’s little sign it will end soon, with Israel signaling a new ground offensive on Gaza City could last several months and Hamas unwilling to surrender.
The diplomatic initiative also underscores Israel’s deepening isolation. Beyond the US, its main ally, it has few countries supporting its continuation of the war. The European Union, Israel’s biggest trading partner, is discussing suspending Israel’s preferential commerce benefits, although some key German politicians have expressed their disapproval.
In the past two weeks, Israeli stocks have become the world’s worst performers in dollar terms. This decline reflects investors’ concerns about a prolonged and costly conflict in the region.
Meanwhile, a growing number of countries have formally recognized Palestine as a state. Following a French-Saudi event, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal made the move on Sunday. On Monday, they were joined by Monaco, Luxembourg, and Malta.
This brings the total number of nations that recognize Palestine to nearly 150. However, some countries, including the United States, Germany, and Japan, still do not.
Macron, in his UN speech, said Paris could open a Palestinian embassy once hostages held by Hamas have been released and the war is over. It is also time for countries around the world to stop questioning the existence of the Israeli state, the French leader said.
Israel and the United States criticize the push for Palestinian statehood
Both Israel and the U.S. have voiced strong opposition to the push for the recognition of Palestine. The primary argument from Israel is that granting statehood would reward Hamas, an organization they, along with the U.S., UK, and EU, have designated as a terrorist group. Neither Israeli nor U.S. representatives were present at the conference.
In a counterargument, French President Macron stated that recognition would actually be a “defeat for Hamas,” since the group is not in favor of a two-state solution and seeks the destruction of Israel.
Meanwhile, Palestinian officials view the recent UN event as a significant, symbolic step forward in their ongoing effort to establish a state in the West Bank and Gaza, which are home to more than 5 million people.
Despite these diplomatic moves, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank continue to pose significant challenges, making the establishment of a Palestinian state seem unlikely in the near future.
Abbas said Hamas should have no role in the future governance of the Palestinian territories and reiterated his condemnation of the group’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza.
“What we want is one unified state without weapons,” Abbas said.
Israel is firmly against a Palestinian state, saying it will undermine the Jewish state’s security. The Israeli government, and most citizens, have hardened their stance against a two-state solution since Hamas’s assault.
“There will be no Palestinian state,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday. He called recognition an “attempt to force upon us a terror state in the heart of our land.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to address the UN General Assembly on Friday and will meet with Donald Trump at the White House the following Monday. He has stated that after these events, he will announce a response to the nations that have formally recognized a Palestinian state.
This comes as Israel’s recent military operations in Gaza City have been widely condemned internationally, with many warning of increased suffering for Palestinian civilians. Netanyahu, however, maintains that the operation is essential to force a surrender from Hamas and secure the release of all hostages.
Hamas killed 1,200 people with its 2023 attack and took another 250 hostage. Of those, 48 are still in captivity, with 20 thought by Israel to be alive.
Around 65,000 people have been killed by the conflict in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there. Last month, a UN-backed monitor declared a famine in parts of the territory, following a months-long Israeli blockade of aid and food.
