France Allies Back Palestinian Statehood as UN Meet Begins

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The United Nations General Assembly week has begun in New York, and this year the spotlight is on Palestine and Israel. France, along with several Western nations, is preparing to recognise Palestine as an independent state. This move comes just after Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal formally announced recognition a day earlier. Their decisions put new pressure on Israel, which is still fighting a destructive war in Gaza.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives since the war began in October 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack inside Israel that killed more than 1,200 people, most of them civilians. Israel’s response has devastated Gaza, leading to widespread destruction and a deep humanitarian crisis. Despite this, Israel has rejected all calls for a Palestinian state. Its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has repeated that Palestine will never be given statehood and instead pledged to expand settlements in occupied territories. Two of his far-right ministers have even demanded the annexation of the West Bank.

Western governments, however, believe recognising Palestine could restart peace talks and keep Palestinians from turning to Hamas. French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Palestinians deserve a country of their own, but also stressed that Israel’s hostages taken during the October 2023 attack must be freed before France would open an embassy to Palestine. He will also meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to discuss reviving the two-state solution, where both Israel and Palestine exist side by side. Macron explained that ignoring Palestinian statehood would only push them towards extremist groups, something he wants to avoid.

The recognition issue has deeply angered Israel. Its Foreign Ministry has said such moves will not bring peace but instead create more instability in the Middle East. Many diplomats also fear Israel might retaliate against these countries or escalate its war efforts. Still, leaders like Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul have called for serious negotiations. He explained that while Germany believes official recognition should come at the end of peace talks, the process must begin now if there is to be any hope of peace.

Inside the UN, more than 140 world leaders are gathering for the annual summit. But Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas will not be present after the U.S. denied him and his officials visas. This decision has created anger at the General Assembly. In response, member states voted overwhelmingly to let Abbas address the world via video link. Many see this as a symbolic but important gesture, showing support for Palestinian voices even if they cannot attend in person.

The humanitarian disaster in Gaza is expected to dominate speeches and debates throughout the week. UN officials say over 65,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died since the war began, while millions live without proper food, water, or shelter. International observers call this one of the worst humanitarian crises of the century.

At the same time, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged world leaders not to be afraid of Israeli retaliation. He said that even without recognition, Israel’s current policies would continue, so international pressure must be applied to push for peace. His remarks highlight the tension between those calling for immediate state recognition and those who fear the consequences.

Attention will also be on the speeches of key leaders. Netanyahu will speak at the end of the week, and he is expected to strongly reject Palestine’s recognition once again. U.S. President Donald Trump, who remains a firm supporter of Israel, will speak earlier on Tuesday. Washington continues to reject Abbas’s Palestinian Authority as a partner for peace and remains opposed to recognising Palestine as a state.

Some analysts have warned that recognition without real political backing could turn into an empty gesture. Max Rodenbeck from an international think tank said that while recognition is symbolic, it may also distract from the “erasure of Palestinian life” that is happening daily. For Palestinians, the question is whether recognition will lead to actual rights, freedom, and an end to occupation, or whether it will remain symbolic.

The situation has transformed the usually quiet corner of Manhattan near the UN headquarters into a heavily secured zone. Police, security agencies, and protesters are everywhere. Streets are blocked, checkpoints are set up, and thousands of demonstrators—both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel—have gathered to make their voices heard.

Although Gaza is the central issue this week, other major global concerns will also be discussed at the summit. Leaders will debate new sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program, the continuing war in Ukraine, and allegations that Russian aircraft violated Estonia’s airspace. But the conflict in Gaza and the recognition of Palestine are certain to overshadow all other topics.

For Palestinians, recognition by powerful Western countries is a step toward long-awaited justice. For Israel, it is seen as a threat to security and a denial of its stance that Palestinians should not have their own state. The UN summit this week could mark a turning point in one of the world’s longest-running conflicts, or it could deepen divisions further.

The world now waits to see whether international recognition of Palestine will bring momentum to peace talks or whether it will lead to more violence in a region already scarred by decades of conflict.