Overview

• President Emmanuel Macron formally announced the recognition at the UN in New York, casting it as a push for peace and saying further steps such as opening an embassy would follow the release of the 48 hostages.
• France’s move came during a summit co‑presided with Saudi Arabia and follows the 12 September ‘Declaration of New York’ adopted by 142 states that backs a two‑state path and excludes Hamas from governance.
• The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal recognized Palestine on Sunday, with other European microstates set to follow, bringing the total to about 146 UN members, according to AFP tallies.
• The recognitions carry political weight but do not grant Palestine full UN membership, which remains blocked by U.S. opposition at the Security Council.
• Israel condemned the decisions as a reward for terrorism, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting no Palestinian state would be allowed west of the Jordan River.