Overview

• France announced recognition at a France–Saudi-led UN gathering after the U.K., Canada, Australia and Portugal did so on Sunday, with additional European states including Belgium, Luxembourg, Andorra, San Marino and Malta moving on Monday.
• Israel and the United States boycotted the meeting as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the recognitions as a reward for terrorism and Israeli officials signaled possible responses including settlement expansion, annexation and punitive steps against Paris.
• Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, denied a U.S. visa, addressed the conference by video to welcome the recognitions, urge full UN membership and pledge reforms and elections following a ceasefire.
• Several recognizing governments stressed conditions that exclude Hamas from governance and link progress to a ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages, while analysts said the recognitions are largely symbolic and unlikely to change realities in Gaza and the West Bank.
• In France, the diplomatic push spurred domestic symbolism as mayors in cities including Saint-Denis and Nantes raised Palestinian flags despite Interior Ministry instructions to block such displays.