Overview

• Emmanuel Macron delivered the recognition at the UN General Assembly within a France–Saudi‑cohosted initiative that echoes the recent ‘Declaration of New York’ excluding Hamas from diplomacy.
• The UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal recognized Palestine on Sunday, with Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and San Marino slated to join, bringing the tally to roughly 145 UN member states.
• Foreign minister Jean‑Noël Barrot called the move immediate and political, saying the establishment of full diplomatic relations will be gradual and conditioned by developments on the ground, notably hostage releases.
• Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau ordered prefects to block municipal pavoisements on neutrality grounds, yet the ministry counted 21 town halls flying Palestinian flags Monday as some courts enjoined mayors and Malakoff kept its flag despite an order.
• Israel reacted angrily, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning a Palestinian state endangers Israel and signaling settlement expansion as far‑right ministers urged annexation of parts of the West Bank.