Overview

• France plans to announce recognition at a France–Saudi–led conference in New York on Monday evening, with Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra and San Marino also expected to follow.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu rejected any Palestinian state and signaled expanded West Bank settlement building, while far-right ministers urged annexation.
• Washington and Berlin declined to join, with the U.S. calling the step symbolic and Germany insisting recognition should come after a negotiated two-state agreement.
• At least 144 of 193 UN member states now recognize Palestine; if Paris proceeds, four Security Council veto powers—China, Russia, France and the UK—will have done so, leaving the United States as the holdout.
• Supporters say the recognitions aim to revive talks and humanitarian access during the Gaza war, though analysts note they change no borders or institutions and Macron tied steps such as opening an embassy to hostage releases.