Overview
- Macron announced on July 24 that France will formally recognize Palestine before the UN General Assembly in September to break the Gaza stalemate.
- The recognition is tied to prerequisites including a Gaza ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian aid and the demilitarization of Hamas as outlined in Macron’s July letter to President Abbas.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the move as rewarding terrorism and undermining peace prospects.
- Germany signaled it will defer recognition until concrete advances emerge from two-state negotiations and security improvements in Gaza.
- France follows Norway, Ireland and Spain in formally acknowledging Palestine, underscoring an EU divide with the US, UK and Germany on statehood timing.