After UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, France recognises Palestinian statehood at UN meeting

United Nations: France formally recognised Palestine as a state on Monday, marking the opening of a high-profile UN meeting aimed at rallying support for a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. The move defies opposition from Israel and the United States, and more countries are expected to follow.

French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement in the UN General Assembly hall, drawing strong applause from over 140 world leaders. The Palestinian delegation, led by UN envoy Riyad Mansour, rose to applaud, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, barred by the US from attending, was seen applauding on a live feed.

“True to France’s historic commitment to peace in the Middle East, I declare that France now recognises the state of Palestine,” Macron said.

The recognition is largely symbolic, with little immediate impact on the ground as Israel presses its offensive in Gaza and continues settlement expansion in the West Bank. Abbas is expected to address the meeting virtually, after US visa denials kept him and dozens of Palestinian officials from attending in person.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that Palestinian statehood is “a right, not a reward,” countering Israel’s claim that recognition rewards Hamas for its October 7 attack. On Sunday, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal also recognised Palestine, with more countries expected to join in the coming days.

Currently, about three-quarters of UN member states recognise Palestine, though key Western nations had until recently withheld recognition, insisting it must come through negotiations with Israel.