French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France would recognize the state of Palestine, becoming the first G7 nation to do so. Macron said the recognition comes as part of its “historical commitment to a just and durable peace in the Middle East.”
The announcement came through Macron’s official X account, following months of hints over a possible French recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron said he would make the formal announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September in New York.
Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 24, 2025
I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September.… pic.twitter.com/VTSVGVH41I
The US and Israel reject France’s recognition of the state of Palestine
The decision has already angered the Trump administration, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio reacted on X, saying, “The United States strongly rejects @EmmanuelMacrons’ plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the @UN general assembly. This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu angrily rejected France’s decision to recognize Palestine as a state. In a statement, the Prime Minister said, “We strongly condemn Mr. Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacre of 2023,” claiming that, “A Palestinian state could become a launchpad to annihilate Israel.”
We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7 massacre. Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 24, 2025
A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a…
Israel has continuously condemned the possibility of France recognizing Palestine as a State, saying it would reward Hamas terrorism. As relations between France and Israel worsen, Emmanuel Macron has also been accused of leading “a Crusade against the Jewish state.”
On the same day that Macron made the announcement, international media reported that the United States and Israel had walked away from the Gaza cease-fire talks in Qatar, as they accused Hamas of not acting in good faith.
Other European countries have recognized Palestine as a State
After Macron’s decision becomes official, France will join other European countries like Spain, Ireland, and Norway in recognizing a Palestinian state. The decision, however, has a different weight in France. The nation is home to the largest Jewish and Muslim populations in Western Europe, is the only nuclear power, and the only permanent UN Security Council member in the European Union.
Experts suggest that Macron’s decision comes at a vital point in the Israel-Gaza war, as thousands of the remaining inhabitants in Gaza are reportedly suffering from starvation. Additionally, many world leaders besides Macron, like Colombia’s Gustavo Petro, have also expressed their concern over Netanyahu’s seeming lack of willingness to end the conflict, as well as the absence of a clear succession plan for Gaza, which has been largely reduced to rubble.
At this time, France has not officially announced what territory it would recognize as a Palestinian state. In the statement, Macron also said, “I will be particularly attentive to the establishment of a cease-fire in Gaza, to the liberation of all hostages still held by Hamas, to its disarmament, and to the consolidation of the Palestinian Authority across all Palestinian territories.”
More than 140 countries recognize Palestinian statehood
France’s recognition of Palestine as a state does not mean much in practical terms, as the Palestinian Authority has pursued full membership at the UN for more than a decade. Palestine was recognized as a permanent observer state in 2012, but full membership requires UN Security Council approval. This would require all members of the Security Council to vote in favor of Palestinian statehood, but the U.S. has already used its veto power to prevent this from happening.
More than 140 countries recognize the State of Palestine, and France will join countries like Colombia in doing so. The first countries to recognize a Palestinian State were China, India, Malaysia, and Russia in 1988, when the Palestine National Council declared the creation of an independent state of Palestine.
The war in Gaza, ongoing since the October 7 terror attacks committed by Hamas, has led more countries, such as Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia, to recognize a Palestinian state last year.
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