France and Other Nations to Recognise Palestinian State as UN Week Commences

France, alongside several other countries, is poised to recognise a Palestinian state as the United Nations’ key diplomatic week begins on Monday. This follows a recent wave of Western governments symbolically endorsing Palestinian statehood, provoking strong reactions from Israel.

Recognition by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal on Sunday has heightened pressure on Israel as it intensifies its military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, widespread destruction in the enclave, and outspoken criticism from some of Israel’s traditional allies.

President Emmanuel Macron has indicated that France will follow suit on Monday, coinciding with a planned meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to discuss the stalled two-state solution — the envisioned coexistence of Israel and Palestine.

“They want a nation, they want a state, and we should not push them towards Hamas,” Macron told CBS News’ Face the Nation on Sunday, emphasising that the move would help isolate the armed group.

Macron also stated that the release of hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October 2023 would be a precondition for opening a French embassy to the Palestinian state.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticised the recognition moves, stating they do not “promote peace, but on the contrary further destabilise the region and undermine the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his stance on Sunday, asserting there would be no Palestinian state and pledging to accelerate settlement construction.

Two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, advocated even further, calling for the annexation of the West Bank.

More than 140 world leaders are expected to converge in New York this week for the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where the future of the Palestinians will dominate discussions.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will miss the gathering after Washington denied him a visa, including his officials. The General Assembly (GA) rebuked this decision and voted 145 to five to allow Abbas to address the summit via video link.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, now in its second year since Israel’s offensive triggered by the unprecedented Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, will top the agenda.

Key Figures on the Conflict:

Some diplomats express concern that the Western push for recognition could provoke Israeli retaliation, further complicating efforts to advance the two-state solution.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres commented on Friday: “We should not feel intimidated by the risk of retaliation. With or without these actions, pressure must be mobilised to prevent further atrocities.”

Attention will focus on Netanyahu’s speech on Friday, as well as on US President Donald Trump, who will speak on Tuesday. Trump has consistently opposed recognition of a Palestinian state, and Washington continues to reject the Palestinian Authority as a partner for peace.

Max Rodenbeck, director of the International Crisis Group’s Israel-Palestine project, warned: “Unless backed up by concrete measures, recognising Palestine as a state risks becoming a distraction from the reality, which is an accelerating erasure of Palestinian life in their homeland.”

The UN headquarters in Manhattan, including the 38-floor main building and the General Assembly hall, has been subject to extensive security measures, protests, and road closures in anticipation of world leaders’ arrival.

Besides Gaza, the week’s events will spotlight:

• The reimposition of sanctions on Iran’s nuclear programme.
• The ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
• Russia’s violations of its neighbours’ airspace.

On Monday, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency session to examine Estonia’s claim that Russian aircraft breached its airspace