France Becomes First G7 Nation to Recognise Palestinian State
- TPP
- Jul 25
- 5 min read
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday, July 24, 2025, that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in September. This move will make France the first member of the G7 — a bloc of major industrialised democracies that includes the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, and Japan — to extend formal recognition to Palestine.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Macron stated:
“Given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. Peace is possible.”
He emphasized that “the urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,” and also shared a letter he sent to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, reaffirming France’s support for Palestinian statehood.
How Many Countries Recognise Palestine?
The State of Palestine, which was proclaimed in 1988, is currently recognised by at least 142 of the 193 United Nations member states. It also holds non-member observer state status at the UN and is a member of international bodies such as UNESCO and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Recognition is strongest across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Global South, while a significant bloc of Western nations, particularly in Europe, North America, and Oceania, continues to withhold recognition.
Which Countries Have Not Recognised the State of Palestine?
Despite growing international recognition, nearly 48 countries — many of them influential Western nations — still do not officially recognise Palestine.
Notable Non-Recognising Countries Include:
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, UK, among others
America: United States, Canada, Panama
Asia: Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Armenia
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga
Africa: Cameroon, Eritrea
Middle East: Israel
This recognition divide has exposed geopolitical fault lines, with many Global South nations supporting Palestinian sovereignty, while Western-aligned powers cite security concerns, particularly regarding Hamas, which governs Gaza and is designated a terrorist organisation by the US, EU, and others.
Macron’s Announcement Sparks Diplomatic Backlash
Macron’s decision drew swift condemnation from Israel and its very loyal ally, the United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the move a “reward for terror”, claiming it would “create another Iranian proxy.” He added:
“A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it. The Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel.”
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz went further, denouncing France’s recognition as a “disgrace and a surrender to terrorism,” warning that Israel would never accept a Palestinian entity that threatens its national security and existence.
In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio slammed the French decision as “reckless”, stating it “only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace.” His comments reflect the hardened stance of the Trump administration, which returned to office in January 2025.
Is the United States Still Committed to the Two-State Solution?
Although the two-state solution — the idea of creating an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel — remains the official US position, President Donald Trump has cast serious doubt on its viability. He has even proposed controversial alternatives, including the idea that the US could "take over Gaza," displace its two million residents, and turn the region into a “Riviera of the Middle East.”
This proposal has been widely condemned as ethnic cleansing — a term that refers to the forcible removal of an ethnic or religious group from a territory — by human rights organisations, Palestinian leaders, the UN, and several Arab states.
Adding to the confusion, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in June 2025 that he did not believe Palestinian statehood remained a US foreign policy goal. This prompted a clarification from State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, who noted that Huckabee “speaks for himself” and that US policy is set by the White House.
Meanwhile, the US has also withdrawn from ceasefire talks in Qatar, citing Hamas's alleged lack of good faith, and announced that it will boycott the upcoming UN conference on the two-state solution set to take place from July 28–30, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Catalyst for Change
France’s decision comes amid growing global outrage over the Gaza humanitarian catastrophe, which escalated following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks that killed 1,139 Israelis and resulted in over 200 hostages being taken.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza that has continued for over 21 months, leaving nearly 60,000 Palestinians dead and around 144,000 injured. Aid organisations and the UN have described the situation as a man-made famine, with civilians killed while attempting to access food and water.
A joint statement released on Monday by 28 countries, including Japan, the UK, and several European nations, called for an immediate end to the war, condemning the “drip-feeding” of aid and the killing of civilians. The message was clear:
“The war on Gaza must end now.”
What Does France Hope to Achieve by Recognising Palestine?
France’s decision carries major domestic and regional implications. The country is home to both Europe’s largest Jewish population and the largest Muslim population in Western Europe. Historically, Middle East conflicts have led to internal protests and social tension in France.
Initially supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself after the October 2023 attacks, Macron’s stance has shifted, largely due to Israel’s prolonged offensive in Gaza and the humanitarian toll.
By recognising the State of Palestine, Macron aims to reassert France’s diplomatic leadership, promote a “just and sustainable peace,” and perhaps influence other European Union members to follow suit.
What Role Has India Played in Supporting Palestine?
India has long supported the Palestinian cause as a central part of its foreign policy. In 1974, India became the first non-Arab country to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. It was also among the first countries to recognise the State of Palestine in 1988.
India established a Representative Office in Gaza in 1996, which was later moved to Ramallah in 2003. Since then, India has been a consistent voice for Palestinian rights in multilateral forums, including the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Human Rights Council.
Recent examples include:
Voting in favour of UNGA Resolutions in 2023 and 2024 supporting Palestinian self-determination and refugee rights
Participating in major global efforts, including:
NAM Ministerial Meeting (Jan 2024)
Cairo Humanitarian Conference (Feb 2024)
High-Level Conference in Amman (2024)
In 2011, India also voted in favour of Palestine’s full membership in UNESCO. As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, India has reiterated its call for a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine, living in peace and security alongside Israel, consistent with relevant UN resolutions.
The recognition of Palestine by France — a permanent UN Security Council member and a leading Western democracy — signals a potential turning point in the long-stalled peace process. With over 140 nations already recognising Palestine, Macron’s move could pressure other Western powers to reconsider their positions and potentially redefine the international consensus on Palestinian statehood.
Yet, with the US and Israel strongly opposed, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsening, the path to peace remains uncertain — but perhaps more urgent than ever.
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