France Recognises Palestinian State, Calls for Peace at UN

France has officially recognised a Palestinian state, becoming one of the latest countries to do so amid growing international pressure to end the war in Gaza, BBC reported. 

Addressing the UN General Assembly in New York, President Emmanuel Macron declared that “the time for peace has come,” urging an end to the conflict and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. He warned against “endless wars” and stressed that “right must always prevail over might.”

France’s move follows recognition by the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, with Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and San Marino expected to follow. Macron said France would only open an embassy in Palestine once a ceasefire was in place and all hostages were freed.

The recognition comes as Israel presses ahead with a ground offensive in Gaza City, where a famine was declared last month. The Hamas-run health ministry says more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023, following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel that left 1,200 dead and 251 taken hostage.

At the UN, Saudi Arabia, the EU, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres also renewed calls for a two-state solution, describing it as the only credible path to peace. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking via videolink after being barred from attending in person by US visa restrictions, called for a permanent ceasefire and urged Hamas to surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel, however, has strongly rejected the wave of recognitions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted there would be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan River, while UN Ambassador Danny Dannon dismissed the UN discussions as a “charade” and suggested annexation of the West Bank was still on the table.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations were also held across France and Italy, with Palestinian flags displayed on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, even as some European governments, including Germany — said recognition should come only at the end of the peace process.