Six More Nations, Including France, Recognize Palestinian Statehood Ahead of UNGA:

New York – September 23, 2025: In a significant diplomatic move ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), six countries — France, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco — officially recognized the State of Palestine. The announcement was made during a high-level summit in New York, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at reviving the long-stalled two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron declared the recognition during his opening speech, stating, “The time has come. It falls on us to do everything in our power to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution. Today, I declare that France recognises the state of Palestine.” The move comes as over 147 of the 193 UN member states have already recognized Palestinian statehood, representing more than 80% of the global community. Monday’s summit included participation from leaders of Australia, Canada, Portugal, and the United Kingdom — all of whom recently declared their recognition of Palestine as well. This wave of recognition intensifies international pressure on Israel, as its military campaign in Gaza continues. More than 65,000 Palestinians have been reported killed, and much of the enclave has been reduced to rubble. Countries like Spain, Ireland, and Norway previously recognized Palestine in 2024, with Spain imposing sanctions on Israel for its ongoing actions in Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the violence in Gaza, stating, “A two-state solution is impossible when the population of one of those states is the victim of a genocide.” Macron also introduced a proposed framework for a "renewed Palestinian Authority" (PA) post-conflict, supported by an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to help prepare the PA for governance in Gaza. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking via video after being denied a US visa, praised the move. “We call on those who have not yet recognised Palestine to follow suit,” he urged. He also called for full UN membership for Palestine — a move that still faces resistance due to the United States’ repeated vetoes at the UN Security Council. The summit was boycotted by both Israel and the United States. Israel’s UN ambassador dismissed it as a “circus”, while US officials claimed recognition would “embolden Hamas”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the decision as undermining peace efforts. However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly rejected the idea that statehood was a reward for violence, affirming: “Statehood for Palestinians is a right, not a reward.” Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, the West Bank, and even recent attacks on neighboring countries, including Qatar. As the UNGA unfolds this week, Palestine is expected to dominate global discussions. While symbolic recognition continues to grow, the challenge remains in turning international support into real political change — something experts say depends heavily on the stance of the US and its allies.

NEWS