In a move that has ignited fierce international debate, France’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine has drawn a swift and angry response from Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemning it as a dangerous endorsement of terrorism and a gift to Iran.
Announced on Wednesday by French President Emmanuel Macron, the decision represents a historic shift in Paris’ Middle East policy — one that places France among the most influential Western nations to recognize Palestinian statehood amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
“France remains committed to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,” Macron said in a statement posted on his official X handle. “I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.”
He added that a formal announcement will be delivered during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
But the declaration quickly sparked outrage in Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, writing on his X handle just hours later, slammed the move as “a reward for terror” and warned it could lead to the creation of another Iranian-backed threat similar to Gaza.
“President Macron’s decision rewards the massacre of October 7 and risks creating another Iranian proxy,” Netanyahu wrote. “A Palestinian state, under these conditions, would not seek peace with Israel — it would become a launching pad to destroy us.”
He accused Palestinian leaders of refusing to accept coexistence, insisting they aim to replace Israel, not live beside it.
The French President, however, framed his decision as a moral and strategic imperative, citing the need to stop the war in Gaza and protect innocent lives. “The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population,” Macron said.
He called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Macron also reiterated the importance of disarming Hamas and ensuring any future Palestinian state is committed to peace and mutual recognition with Israel.
This move brings the number of countries recognizing Palestine to at least 146. While many nations in the Global South have long supported Palestinian statehood, France’s announcement is the most significant yet from a major Western power.
Notably absent from this growing list is the United States, which continues to oppose official recognition. In April 2024, Washington blocked a UN Security Council resolution that would have allowed a General Assembly vote on granting full UN membership to Palestine.
Now, questions loom over how Macron’s bold diplomatic pivot will impact France’s relations with Washington — and whether it will add momentum to renewed global calls for a two-state solution.
As the war rages on and civilian casualties mount, Macron’s gamble could reshape not only France’s role in the region, but also the broader geopolitical conversation about peace, justice, and statehood in the Middle East.