French President Macron Announced formally at the UN: France Recognizes a Palestinian State

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday night that France officially recognizes a Palestinian state, becoming the 152nd country to do so. The declaration came at the opening of the Franco-Saudi conference on Palestinian statehood, held at UN headquarters in New York, on the eve of the General Assembly leaders’ summit.

The conference, boycotted by Israel and the United States, drew sharp criticism from Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, who called it a “circus.”

Macron: “Recognition is a defeat for Hamas”

In his speech, Macron described recognition as “a defeat for Hamas,” vowing that France would work to stabilize the Gaza Strip, end the war, and train security forces alongside allies to ensure Hamas’ disarmament. He pledged to open a French embassy in the State of Palestine once all hostages are released.

“Now is the time for peace and an end to the war,” Macron concluded. Shortly afterward, Monaco’s Prince Albert II also announced recognition of Palestine.

Wave of European recognitions

Macron’s move follows Sunday’s announcements by Britain, Australia and Canada, with Portugal quickly following suit. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela also recognized Palestine, while Belgian Prime Minister Bert de Weber said Belgium would recognize once Hamas is disarmed and all hostages freed.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrow described the decision as “political-symbolic,” reaffirming France’s commitment to the two-state solution.

Abbas: “One state, one law”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the conference online after being denied a U.S. visa. He pledged that Hamas would play no role in post-war Gaza, insisting that all armed factions must hand over weapons to the PA.

“We want one state with one law,” Abbas said. He promised presidential and parliamentary elections within a year of the war’s end and reaffirmed recognition of Israel’s right to exist. “Our future and your future lies in peace,” he said, calling on Israel to join negotiations and on more countries to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Global reactions

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto declared that Indonesia would recognize Israel if Israel first recognized a Palestinian state, promising to provide security guarantees to Israel in that case.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan repeated accusations of Israeli “genocide” in Gaza, though his speech was abruptly cut off mid-broadcast — a move Turkish media labeled “deliberate sabotage.”

While most European states have moved toward recognition, Germany and Italy have signaled they will not follow suit in the near future. Berlin stressed that recognition must be tied to a negotiated political process.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, explaining his decision Sunday, said: “In light of the growing atrocities in the Middle East, we are working to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution. That means a safe and secure Israel alongside a Palestinian state – and right now we have neither.”