One day after Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal pledged to recognize a Palestinian state, France is joining the fray. The country is expected to recognize a Palestinian state at this week’s U.N. General Assembly.
France and Saudi Arabia will hold a summit of world leaders on Monday. The goal of the summit is to revive the long-thwarted two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
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France’s recognition comes months after French President Emmanuel Macron became the prime mover in July. He called for Western countries to announce their recognition. Now, the country is announcing its formal recognition.
The announcements come amid growing outrage over Israel’s war in Gaza. Health officials say more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since 2023.
“It’s significant for France and the U.K. to recognize Palestine because of the legacy of these two countries’ involvement in the Middle East,” Burcu Ozcelik, senior research fellow for Middle East Security at London-based Royal United Services Institute, told The Associated Press. “But without the United States coming on board with the idea of a Palestine, I think very little will change on the ground.”
Sunday pledges
On Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain’s pledge is meant to revive hope for a two-state solution. Canada and Australia made similar declarations in rapid succession.
“We are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution,” Starmer said. “That means a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable Palestinian state. At the moment, we have neither.”
In a post on X, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote, “Canada recognizes the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.”
And in a joint statement with Penny Wong, Australia’s minister of foreign affairs, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “Today’s act of recognition reflects Australia’s longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, which has always been the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and the Palestinian peoples.”
Israel responds
Israel issued its own statement after Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal made their pledges.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a Palestinian state “will not be established,” calling the decision a “reward for terror.” He said the move would hand more power to Hamas.
However, world leaders who support statehood have maintained that Hamas should have no governing stake in the region.
US refuses to pledge
At the UN, more than 140 countries have now recognized Palestinian statehood.
But the United States isn’t budging.
The Trump administration remains firmly opposed, vowing to veto any push for full Palestinian membership at the U.N. Security Council.
According to CNN, the refusal from the U.S. could lead to Palestine failing to become a U.N. member. In order to become a member, Palestine needs at least nine of the 15 members of the Security Council to vote in favor. Plus, none of the five permanent members can veto it.
The five permanent members are the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia and the U.S. If the issue came before the Security Council, the U.S. is expected to wield its veto power.
