Overview

• France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra and San Marino formalized recognition at a two‑state conference at the U.N. in New York co‑hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.
• Days earlier, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal announced recognition from their capitals, adding major Western voices to the diplomatic push.
• Reports now count roughly 156–157 U.N. member states recognizing Palestine, with the United States, Germany and Japan among those still opposed.
• France framed recognition as compatible with support for Israel, and President Emmanuel Macron said opening a French embassy in Palestine would require Hamas to release remaining hostages; Belgium tied its recognition’s legal effect to eliminating Hamas and freeing hostages.
• Israel’s government rejected the recognitions as a reward for Hamas, the United States criticized the moves, and U.N. Secretary‑General António Guterres reiterated that statehood is a right tied to a two‑state solution.