France Leads UN Summit in Recognizing Palestinian State, Angering Israel
By TV84.pk News Desk | September 23, 2025
UNITED NATIONS – French President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s recognition of a Palestinian state during a UN summit on Monday, spearheading a wave of Western nations taking the historic step amid Israel’s intensifying war in Gaza. The move, joined by Australia, Britain, Canada, and Portugal, has sparked outrage from Israel, which warned of retaliatory actions.
Macron’s Call for Peace
Speaking at the summit, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, Macron declared, “The time for peace has come, as we are just moments away from no longer being able to seize it.” He urged an immediate end to hostilities, stating, “The time has come to free the 48 hostages held by Hamas. The time has come to stop the war, the bombings of Gaza, the massacres, and the displacement.”
Macron tied the opening of a French embassy in a Palestinian state to the release of hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The summit follows recognitions by Australia, Britain, Canada, and Portugal on Sunday, piling diplomatic pressure on Israel as its Gaza offensive has killed over 65,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Israel’s Defiant Response
Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, condemned the recognitions, warning, “We will take action.” He accused the nations of “supporting terrorism” rather than promoting peace. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, backed by far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, reiterated his opposition to a Palestinian state and vowed to expand West Bank settlements, with some ministers pushing for outright annexation.
Israel announced it would skip a Tuesday UN Security Council meeting on Gaza, citing the Jewish New Year, and called the timing “regrettable.”
Mixed Western Reactions
The United States, Israel’s key ally, opposed the recognitions, with President Donald Trump arguing that a Palestinian state must emerge through negotiations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the move a “reward to Hamas” and criticized allies for “more talk and not enough action.”
Germany also diverged, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul advocating a “negotiated two-state solution” over unilateral recognition. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas was forced to attend the summit virtually after being denied a U.S. visa.
Symbolic Step, Limited Impact?
While the recognitions mark a diplomatic milestone, analysts warn of limited practical effect. Max Rodenbeck of the International Crisis Group noted, “Unless backed by concrete measures, recognizing Palestine risks becoming a distraction from the accelerating erasure of Palestinian life.” The October 7 Hamas attack killed 1,219 Israelis, mostly civilians, while Israel’s retaliation has left Gaza in ruins, with 65,062 Palestinian deaths reported.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, undeterred by Israel’s threats, told AFP, “We should not feel intimidated by the risk of retaliation.” Britain hinted it might reconsider recognition if Israel agrees to a Gaza ceasefire, but prospects remain dim amid escalating rhetoric.
A Global Divide
With over 140 world leaders at the UN General Assembly, the Palestinian statehood debate has deepened global divisions. As Israel doubles down on its military campaign and settlement expansion, the path to peace grows increasingly fraught.
Stay tuned to TV84.pk for real-time updates on this escalating crisis.
