Overview

• The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia formally recognized the State of Palestine on Sunday, becoming the first G7 members to take the step.
• President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s recognition at the UN in New York and conditioned opening an embassy on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.
• Recognizing governments emphasized that Hamas should have no role in future Palestinian governance as part of a broader Franco‑Saudi push for a two‑state roadmap.
• Israel condemned the decisions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling them a reward for terrorism as hard‑right ministers urged annexation and settlement expansion in the West Bank.
• The United States criticized the recognitions as unilateral, with the State Department labeling them “theatrical gestures,” and additional European states were indicated by French officials as preparing to follow.