After Britain And Portugal, France Recognises Palestine as State

Last Updated:September 23, 2025, 01:14 IST

Emmanuel Macron announced France formally recognizes the state of Palestine, joining Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, despite strong opposition from Israel

French President Emmanuel Macron at a UN summit on a two-state solution in New York (AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday announced that the country has formally recognized the Palestinian state.

While speaking at a summit on a two-state solution in New York, Macron said “we must do everything within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security."

“The time has come. This is why, true to the historic, 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 recognises the state of Palestine," he said.

He emphasised that the recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people “takes nothing away from the rights of the people of Israel, who France supported from day one".

“France has never wavered, standing by side, by Israel’s side, even when its security was at stake, including when there were Iranian air strikes. This recognition of the State of Palestine is a defeat for Hamas," Macron added.

This comes a day after Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal recognized the state of Palestine.

This wave of recognition represents a significant departure from the long-standing Western position that Palestinian statehood should emerge only as the outcome of direct negotiations with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed the UK, Canada, and Australia’s move to recognise Palestine and said that there will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River.

At the United Nations meet, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said the US and Israel “will not participate in this charade" while expressing disappointment towards countries recognising Palestinian as a state at the summit, along with other leaders, CNN reported.

“On October 8, you stood with Israel, you spoke about the hostages. Today you’re moving on, you’re leaving the hostages behind," he said while referring to the countries recognising Palestinian statehood.

“Many leaders today will speak about the future when Hamas will not be part of Gaza, but I will ask them: who is going to do that?" he said. “The responsibility is on our shoulders."

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