Overview

• France formally recognized the State of Palestine at a high-level conference co-chaired with Saudi Arabia, joining recent recognitions by the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal as well as Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and Monaco.
• The UN General Assembly voted 145–5–6 to let Mahmoud Abbas speak remotely after the United States revoked visas for him and dozens of senior Palestinian Authority officials.
• UN Secretary‑General António Guterres called a two‑state solution the only credible path to peace and urged a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and full humanitarian access.
• The United States and Israel opposed and boycotted the meeting, with Washington arguing recognition would embolden Hamas and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denouncing the recognitions as a reward for terrorism.
• More than 150 UN member states now recognize Palestine, though full UN membership remains blocked at the Security Council where a U.S. veto can apply, and Japan said recognition is a question of when rather than if.