Introduction
Following the recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron — widely reported by both the media and the Élysée — regarding his intention to recognise Palestine before June 2025, it becomes necessary to further examine the matter. This declaration, presented as both a moral and political commitment, aligns with a segment of the international community, including the United Nations (UN), which maintains that the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination can only be fulfilled through the creation of a sovereign state reflecting the aspirations of a two-state solution.
This article therefore aims to explore France’s stance within a broader historical and legal context. First, it examines the current evolution of the French position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the significance of the Cairo Summit, alongside the close ties with the Arab Plan for Reconstruction. It then analyses the legal and political implications of state recognition, with particular focus on the European and international frameworks. Finally, the article addresses both domestic and international reactions, highlighting the polarisation of opinion surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
Assessing the Cairo Summit, Gaza Recovery Plan, and France’s Statements on Palestinian Recognition
As stated in a communication from the Élysée following the summit between France, Egypt, and Jordan in Cairo, the three countries have called for an immediate ceasefire following the resumption of Israeli military strikes on Gaza (Élysée, 2025). The countries involved in the trilateral summit stressed the need to protect the Palestinian population, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, and implement the exchange deal for the release of all hostages, in full respect of international law and international humanitarian law (France 24, 2025; Clarke-Billings, 2025; Al Jazeera, 2025; Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, 2025). At the heart of the summit was the reiterated commitment to the two-state solution, along with a firm rejection of any scenario that could lead to the displacement of Palestinians from their territories or the annexation of any Palestinian land (France 24, 2025; Clarke-Billings, 2025; Al Jazeera, 2025; Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, 2025).
In this regard, the leaders clearly called for international support to back the reconstruction plan for Gaza drawn up by Egypt, adopted by the Arab League, and supported by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), along with numerous European States including France, Germany, Italy, and Britain (France 24, 2025; Clarke-Billings, 2025; Al Jazeera, 2025; Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, 2025). The plan was presented as an alternative to the proposal of the United States (U.S.) President Trump, which has already faced criticism from both the U.S. and Israel (France 24, 2025; Clarke-Billings, 2025; Al Jazeera, 2025; Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, 2025). The Egyptian plan, approved by the Arab League, centres on the temporary administration of Gaza by a committee of independent experts alongside international peacekeepers (Clarke-Billings, 2025). These actors would be responsible for managing humanitarian aid and internal affairs under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority (Clarke-Billings, 2025). Statements from European countries suggest the plan offers a realistic approach to long-term needs regarding reconstruction, governance, and security — all essential for compliance with international law, while keeping the goal of a Palestinian State at its core (Al Jazeera, 2025; Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, 2025; Clarke-Billings, 2025).
In preparation for the upcoming international conference to be held in June at the UN headquarters in New York — co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia — key issues will include securing material support for the reconstruction plan and laying the foundations for the implementation of a two-state solution, a principle that France has long supported (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, 2025; Ricard, 2025; Middle East Monitor, 2025; Le Monde, 2025; Euronews, 2025; Sedghi, 2025; Caulcutt, 2025).
In this context, the remarks made by President Emmanuel Macron on the French television channel France 5 on Wednesday, April 9th, have taken centre stage in the days following the trilateral summit (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, 2025; Ricard, 2025; Le Monde, 2025; Euronews, 2025; Caulcutt, 2025). France has thus made clear that the June international conference will serve as a preparatory step toward the potential recognition of the State of Palestine, framing such recognition as not only a political act but above all a moral one, in support of all Palestinians whose aspirations have been denied for far too long (Middle East Monitor, 2025; Reuters, 2025; Caulcutt, 2025). At the same time, the French President called upon those states which have yet to recognise the State of Israel to participate in an event of ‘mutual recognition’ aimed at ensuring collective security in the region (Le Monde, 2025; France 24, 2025).
Recognition of Palestine: European dynamics and recent developments
In this context, it is necessary to examine the issue of state recognition and why France’s move could trigger a ‘snowball effect’ among Western countries that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine. Currently, 147 out of 193 UN Member States recognise Palestine (Euronews, 2025; Middle East Monitor, 2025; Liel, 2024). The most recent developments involve other European countries such as Ireland, Norway, and Spain, which announced their recognition in May 2024, and Slovenia, which followed in June 2024 (Euronews, 2025; Middle East Monitor, 2025; Liel, 2024). In the past, both Spain and Norway, have played significant roles in the peace process, having hosted peace talks such as the Madrid Peace Conference on the Middle East in 1991 and the events surrounding the Oslo Agreements (Liel, 2024). As was the case with Sweden’s recognition in 2014, this new wave of recognition could lead other European States to adopt resolutions in support of Palestinian statehood, recognising not only the right to statehood but also initiating a process towards formal recognition (Persson, 2015; Kyris, 2024). The Palestinian people have long been the subject of broad international recognition of their right to statehood, expressed through UN resolutions and international declarations (Kyris, 2024). Yet, formal recognition of the Palestinian State still faces considerable obstacles (Kyris, 2024).
More broadly, the position taken by European countries aligns with UN resolutions advocating for a two-state solution involving both Israel and Palestine (Persson, 2015). Recognising the State of Palestine is considered a necessary and preliminary step to support the two-state solution, particularly at a time when the conflict’s devastating impact is starkly apparent (Persson, 2015). While European States generally agree on the overarching framework for resolution, they hold diverging views on sensitive issues during crises and on the practical steps to be taken (Persson, 2015). From the 1980 Venice Declaration, in which the European Council of the then European Economic Community (EEC) recognised the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, to the 1999 Berlin Declaration, where the European Union (EU) promoted the idea of a Palestinian state—even without formally recognising it—it is evident that achieving the proposed solution inevitably requires formal recognition of the State of Palestine (European Council, 1980; 1999; Persson, 2015). However, in 2012, during the vote on UN General Assembly Resolution 67/17 concerning Palestine’s status as a non-member observer state, many European countries chose to abstain, breaking what could have been a united front (United Nations General Assembly, 2012; Persson, 2015). Nonetheless, in 2013, the EU issued guidelines against Israeli settlements, producing one of the most significant documents since the 1980 Declaration and highlighting the need to frame the issue within international law (Persson, 2015; European Commission, 2013).
Creating the conditions for lasting peace is a fundamental element in resolving the conflict. The renewed recognition of Palestine by an increasing number of European States has certainly contributed to generating crucial momentum while also highlighting the delayed nature of the Western response (Liel, 2024). In line with the most relevant UN resolutions based on the two-state solution, such recognition becomes central to fostering peaceful coexistence between the two peoples within the framework of international law and human rights (Liel, 2024). According to Kyris (2024), the Palestinian case represents a clear contemporary example of the ‘exclusive recognition of the right to statehood’, whereby the creation of a state is regarded as the only legitimate outcome of the self-determination process. Within this context, the decision by France—like Sweden’s in 2014—can be seen as a tangible stance in support of a shared vision of resolution, fully situated within a legal framework defined by international law (Kyris, 2024). France has long declared the necessity of a two-state resolution, and its recognition could signal a substantial policy shift—while also risking a deterioration in relations with Israel (Caulcutt, 2025; Euronews, 2025; Le Monde, 2025; Sedghi, 2025). Seen as a necessary step to bring stability to the region and facilitate a peace process, France would become the most significant Western power to recognise the Palestinian State, being the first and only permanent member of the UN Security Council to do so (France 24, 2025; Sedghi, 2025).
France Divided on Recognition: Domestic Reactions and Global Repercussions
The President’s remarks have triggered a range of responses both domestically and internationally. Within France, reactions have been mixed, with two main factions emerging. Former President Hollande expressed support for the proposal of mutual recognition, but it was the left-wing party leaders, such as Mathilde Panot, who responded more vehemently (Radio France Internationale, 2025; El País, 2025). Panot declared that the initiative would be a necessary response after “nearly two years of genocide” (Radio France Internationale, 2025; El País, 2025). Additionally, the leader of the Socialist Party, Olivier Faure, welcomed the initiative, seeing it as a strong signal against the inhumane conduct of the Israeli government (Radio France Internationale, 2025). On the other hand, right-wing reactions were less favourable, considering the decision premature (Radio France Internationale, 2025; El País, 2025). Sébastien Chenu, Vice President of the Rassemblement National and the President of the Senate raised concerns over unresolved hostage situations and the instability within the Palestinian Authority, declaring that such a decision would support and benefit Hamas, potentially jeopardising Israel’s security (Radio France Internationale, 2025; El País, 2025). The President’s statements also contributed to further polarising public opinion on the matter.
At the same time, the declarations received strong criticism internationally, particularly from Israeli government figures. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar voiced significant concerns, describing the move as a victory for terrorism that would undermine peace efforts and empower Hamas, calling it “a prize for terrorism” and labelling Palestine as a “fictional state” (Radio France Internationale, 2025; France 24, 2025; Al Jazeera, 2025; Politico, 2025). The Israeli Ambassador to France also deemed the idea irresponsible and premature, especially considering the ongoing conflict (Radio France Internationale, 2025).
On the Palestinian side, reactions were overwhelmingly supportive of the plan to recognise the state in June. Palestine’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, described the statement as a step forward in protecting the two-state solution and achieving peace (Middle East Monitor, 2025; Al Jazeera, 2025). The decision was also welcomed by Hamas officials, who recognise France’s international influence and see the possibility that it could help “end the occupation and realise the aspirations of the Palestinians” (Middle East Monitor, 2025).
Conclusion
In conclusion, President Macron’s statements regarding his intention to recognise the State of Palestine by June 2025, made during the summit led by France and Saudi Arabi
