Global Pressure Mounts on Israel as France Recognises Palestinian State

United Kingdom-France has formally recognised a Palestinian state, becoming the latest country to take the step amid mounting international pressure on Israel over the war in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank.

President Emmanuel Macron announced the move at the UN General Assembly in New York, declaring that “the time for peace has come” and that “nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza”.

The recognition follows similar announcements from the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal over the weekend. Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra and San Marino are also expected to follow suit in the coming days.

US President Donald Trump is due to address the General Assembly on Tuesday, alongside leaders from Jordan, Qatar and other key regional powers.

Growing international divide

France and Saudi Arabia co-hosted a summit on Monday focused on reviving a two-state solution to the decades-long conflict. However, the United States, Germany and Italy did not attend, underlining divisions within the Western alliance.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the recognitions, saying they “reward terrorism”, referring to Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack that killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.

Since then, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Israeli forces are continuing a ground offensive in Gaza City, where famine was confirmed last month.

Calls for peace and reconstruction

Mr Macron urged an immediate ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and a renewed commitment to a two-state solution. “Right must always prevail over might,” he told delegates. “The world cannot afford endless wars.”

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, speaking on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reiterated that a Palestinian state alongside Israel was “the only path to lasting peace”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged new financial support for Gaza’s reconstruction, announcing the creation of a “Palestine Donor Group”.

Abbas speaks by video

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, denied a US visa to attend in person, addressed the Assembly via videolink. He called for a permanent ceasefire and urged Hamas to surrender its weapons, insisting the group could have “no role” in Gaza’s future governance.

“Our future and yours depends on peace,” he said in a direct message to Israelis. “Enough violence and war.”

UN Secretary General António Guterres described the crisis in Gaza as “morally, legally and politically intolerable”, calling a two-state solution “the only credible path” to lasting peace.

Trump under spotlight

Attention now turns to President Trump’s address at the General Assembly, where he is expected to respond to the wave of recognitions and set out Washington’s stance.

While the US has long backed a two-state solution in principle, it has so far resisted recognising Palestinian statehood, arguing that it should come only through direct negotiations with Israel.