Islamabad/ United Nations – In a significant diplomatic shift, France, along with Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and Monaco, formally recognised the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly summit in New York on Monday, raising the number of UN member states supporting Palestinian statehood to some of 160; around 76% of the world.
“Today, I declare that France recognises the State of Palestine,” President Emmanuel Macron said, adding that it was the responsibility of the international community “to do everything in our power to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.”
The move adds to mounting international pressure on Israel to end its offensive in Gaza and revive prospects for a two-state solution.
West Emphasised ‘Two State Solution’
The development comes after four major Western nations long allied with Israel; the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal, formally recognised the State of Palestine on Sunday. The coordinated announcement, made on the eve of the UN General Assembly in New York, was framed as an effort to revive hopes for a two-state solution amid the war in Gaza.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared the recognition in a video statement, saying the UK was acting “to revive the hope of peace for Palestinians and Israelis.”
The decision carried particular symbolism, coming more than 100 years after the Balfour Declaration and 77 years after Britain’s role in the creation of Israel during the British Mandate of Palestine. Starmer condemned Israel for “relentless bombardment” of Gaza and the “man-made humanitarian crisis”, calling it “utterly intolerable.”
Husam Badran, a senior leader in Hamas, called Mr Starmer’s announcement “a step in the right direction, even if it came late.”
In coordinated statements, Canada, Australia and Portugal also confirmed recognition of Palestinian statehood. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the move aimed to counter Israeli attempts to block Palestinian statehood, stressing that the Palestinian Authority had pledged reforms, elections next year, and demilitarisation. He added that recognition “empowers those who seek peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas.”
Australia called a two-state solution “the only path to enduring peace and security,” while Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel described his country’s move as part of a “fundamental line of Portuguese foreign policy.”
Israel’s Aggression
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a sharp rebuke, accusing the countries of rewarding terrorism after the October 7 Hamas-led attack. “You are giving a huge reward to terrorism,” Netanyahu said in a video message, threatening that “a Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.”
The October 7 attacks killed 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 hostages taken, according to Israeli figures.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to local health authorities. The campaign has levelled much of the enclave, displaced millions and driven famine conditions.
Pakistan’s Stand at UNGA
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to address the UNGA this week, where he will call for urgent action on Palestine and Indian-held Kashmir, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. He will highlight what Islamabad describes as “grave crises of prolonged occupation and denial of the right to self-determination.”
The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has yet to respond to the decision of its partners to recognise Palestinian statehood, though President Donald Trump has previously voiced opposition to such moves.
