What Does France's Recognition of Palestine Mean for Global Politics?
On September 22, a pivotal moment unfolded in the quest for Palestinian statehood as French President Emmanuel Macron officially acknowledged Palestine at the United Nations. This recognition came during a meeting co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia in New York, where several other nations, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, and Andorra, also declared their support for Palestinian statehood. Leaders from Australia, Canada, Portugal, and the UK, who had recognized Palestine a day earlier, voiced their commitment to the cause. Macron emphasized the urgency of preserving the two-state solution, which faces significant threats following Israel's aggressive actions in Gaza after the tragic Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. As of April, 147 out of 193 UN member states have recognized Palestine, indicating that over 80% of the global community supports its statehood. However, mere recognition is insufficient; tangible actions are essential for achieving this goal. The endorsements from France, the UK, and Australia could further isolate Israel on the international stage.
Intense domestic pressure has mounted on the British and French governments to support Palestinian demands as Israel's military campaign in Gaza continues, resulting in over 65,300 Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction. Last year, Spain, Norway, and Ireland recognized Palestinian statehood, with Spain even imposing sanctions on Israel due to its actions in Gaza.
Despite these developments, the success of Palestinian statehood hinges on convincing the United States, which holds veto power in the UN Security Council, to endorse the plan. This explains Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of the recent recognitions, labeling them as encouragement for terrorism. During his address to the UN General Assembly on September 23, US President Donald Trump criticized the UN for its ineffectiveness, stating that it merely issues strongly worded letters without taking meaningful action.
Notably, the US did not participate in the summit organized by France and Saudi Arabia, which focused on the two-state solution. Other G7 nations, including Germany and Italy, were also absent, while Japan and South Korea hesitated to support the two-state solution due to their ties with Israel. It is important to recognize that Western European nations, which have historically supported the two-state theory, are facing domestic challenges, including rising immigration from the Middle East, leading to new political pressures.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas expressed gratitude towards the nations recognizing Palestine, delivering his remarks via video due to a visa denial from the Trump administration. He assured attendees that Hamas would not be included in the envisioned Palestinian state. Both Israel and the US boycotted the summit, with Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, dismissing it as a 'circus.'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to peace, asserting that Palestinian statehood is a right, not a reward, countering US and Israeli claims. Despite the recent wave of recognition, Israel appears unfazed, continuing its offensive in Gaza. The hope is that the alignment of major European powers may at least halt ongoing attacks.
On the same day the recognition was announced, Israeli strikes in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 55 Palestinians. Without concrete actions such as sanctions, arms embargoes, and the establishment of a no-fly zone in occupied Palestine, the likelihood of achieving tangible results remains slim. The question remains whether these nations will be able to take decisive action against Israel.