Overview

• French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state in the coming months, with a declaration likely at a UN conference co-chaired with Saudi Arabia in June.
• This marks a major departure from France’s previous stance of supporting a two-state solution without formal recognition of Palestine.
• Macron stated the recognition aims to encourage reciprocal gestures, including potential recognition of Israel by some Middle Eastern nations, to bolster regional security.
• Israeli officials condemned the move, warning it could empower Hamas and destabilize the region further, while Palestinian leaders welcomed it as a step toward safeguarding their rights.
• The initiative aligns with a growing international trend, as nearly 150 countries have recognized Palestine, including recent European nations such as Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Slovenia.