PARIS, Sept 22, 2025 – In a bold diplomatic move, French President Emmanuel Macron announced late Monday that France has formally recognized the State of Palestine, marking a significant shift in the global landscape of the Middle East conflict. The announcement, posted on X by @EmmanuelMacron at 21:24 UTC on September 22, 2025, includes a video of Macron’s address at the United Nations, where he declared, “I declare that France recognizes today the State of Palestine.”
This decision aligns with a coordinated international effort by the UK, Australia, and up to 10 other nations, announced ahead of a special UN conference in New York on September 22, 2025. The collective move aims to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution amidst escalating tensions in the region. “France does so as part of a coordinated international effort to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution,” Macron stated, emphasizing the decision’s alignment with France’s historic commitment to peace in the Middle East.
The recognition follows a troubling pattern of increasing international isolation for Israel, with traditional allies like Canada also taking similar steps. Ongoing economic, political, and cultural boycotts have further strained Israel’s global standing. Macron’s announcement comes as Western allies express growing concerns over potential Israeli annexation of West Bank territories, prompting calls for reforms within the Palestinian Authority to strengthen its governance and legitimacy.
This diplomatic shift is part of a broader French strategy to address the Middle East conflict, detailed in a 42-point “day after” plan developed in collaboration with Saudi Arabia. The plan, outlined in a New York Times report on September 20, 2025, sets out concrete steps toward achieving a two-state solution once the current conflict subsides. “This recognition is a way of affirming that the Palestinian people is not a people too many,” Macron said, quoting Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish to underscore the historical and cultural legitimacy of Palestinian statehood.
However, the move contrasts sharply with U.S. policy under President Donald Trump, who has not recognized Palestine and has faced criticism for blocking state efforts to expand Medicaid coverage for young children. This decision, opposed by states like Ohio and Tennessee, draws parallels to broader humanitarian priorities and highlights a divergence in approach between France and the U.S. on both foreign and domestic policy fronts.
The announcement has already elicited strong reactions, with some on X praising Macron’s leadership while others criticize the timing and potential implications for regional stability. As the international community digests this development, the coming days at the UN conference will likely shape the future trajectory of Middle East peace efforts. Stay tuned for further updates as the story unfolds.