The recent recognition of a Palestinian state by Britain and France at the United Nations is a landmark moment in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This bold diplomatic action by major European powers signals a belief that the current crisis in Gaza necessitates such an unprecedented step.
French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside the UK and under Saudi sponsorship, stated that “right must prevail over might.” This move aims to sustain the two-state solution, which they see as the only viable path toward a just and shared future for both Israelis and Palestinians. UN Secretary General António Guterres warned that the alternative is a “one-state” reality of Israeli dominance and Palestinian subjugation, emphasizing that collective punishment and starvation are unjustifiable.
Israel has reacted with strong disapproval, viewing this international recognition as a reward for Hamas following its October 7th attacks. Some Israeli ministers have called for annexation of parts of the West Bank in response, effectively ending the possibility of a Palestinian state. The Trump administration has also opposed the European initiative, imposing sanctions on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and barring him from the UN conference where he addressed attendees via video link.
This divergence marks a significant rift between the US and its European allies on Middle East policy. However, European nations argue that the escalating conflict in Gaza, the ongoing hostage crisis, and the surge in Israeli settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank leave them with few alternatives. The situation remains dire, with little indication that military pressure will achieve Israel’s goal of Hamas’s surrender.
Macron’s strategy is an effort to showcase diplomacy as a viable alternative. His plan involves first achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, followed by a long-term two-state solution. European countries contend that Israel’s current approach has led to increased suffering and jeopardized remaining hostages. The involvement of Saudi Arabia and the Arab League in leading the UN conference is seen as crucial, as these key Arab nations have urged Hamas to disarm and relinquish leadership, potentially creating incentives for Israel and paving the way for broader normalization with Saudi Arabia.
Both Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have drawn parallels to the post-1948 era, when the international community recognized Israel after Britain’s withdrawal from Palestine. Now, they assert, Palestinians also have an equal right to their own state. While Palestinians welcome this recognition, they acknowledge that past global powers’ decisions carry less weight today. Ultimately, Palestinian statehood hinges on the backing of the current superpower, the United States, whose current administration has different priorities.