France recognises Palestine: A pivotal moment for two-state solution amid Israeli isolation

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday at the UN General Assembly that his country was officially recognising the state of Palestine, deepening the diplomatic isolation of Israel. Macron said the decision was made to keep alive hopes for a two-state solution and bring lasting peace to the Middle East. The French move comes against the backdrop of the war in Gaza and Israel’s continued settlement expansion in the West Bank. By taking this step, France has positioned itself at the front of a widening international effort to revive the long-frozen two-state solution.

The decision was not made in isolation. Over the weekend, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal also extended recognition, and at a summit co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra and Monaco followed suit. With nearly three-quarters of UN member states now recognising Palestine, the momentum reflects a strong international demand for action rather than rhetoric.

For Macron and other leaders, the reasoning was both moral and practical. They argued that peace could no longer be delayed and that Palestinian statehood was the only route to ensure Israel’s long-term security. Macron presented recognition as a blow to Hamas rather than a gift to it, insisting that justice must prevail over violence. UN Secretary-General António Guterres concurred, calling the Gaza situation morally, legally, and politically unacceptable. He warned that treating Palestinian statehood as a bargaining chip would only embolden extremist groups across the world.

France has tied its recognition to a broader plan for stability once the fighting ends. Paris has proposed a UN-backed mission in Gaza, with a transitional administration led by the Palestinian Authority that would also oversee Hamas’s dismantling. In a virtual address, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Hamas’s October 7 attack and urged the group to hand over its weapons. He insisted Hamas could have no role in governing Gaza and told Israelis that their own security depended on peace. The French-Saudi framework envisions a reformed Palestinian Authority eventually administering both the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel’s response has been swift and uncompromising. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that no Palestinian state would ever be established west of the Jordan River. Israeli officials accused the international community of rewarding Hamas and dismissed the summit as political theatre. Some hinted at drastic countermeasures, including possible annexation of parts of the West Bank. Western governments such as the UK have urged Israel not to retaliate, warning that continued settlement growth is the greatest threat to the viability of a Palestinian state.

Yet the biggest obstacle lies across the Atlantic. The United States remains firmly opposed to recognition, insisting it rewards Hamas while hostages are still held in Gaza. Washington’s support is crucial as it is the only permanent UN Security Council member refusing recognition. The US can block Palestine’s admission as a full UN member, notwithstanding the overwhelming support in the General Assembly.

The split among Western allies is now unmistakable. France, the UK, Canada, and others have broken from the old consensus that recognition should come only at the end of peace talks. Germany, by contrast, continues to hold that line, while acknowledging that steps toward a settlement must start now. What is clear is that Israel and the US now find themselves increasingly isolated in their outright rejection of the two-state path.

Whether this wave of recognition translates into real change on the ground remains uncertain. Diplomatic gestures alone are unlikely to halt Israel’s military campaign or shift its policy in the West Bank. But the international mood has shifted decisively, and with France leading the charge, the question is no longer whether Palestine will be recognised – but whether recognition will be enough to break the deadlock of a conflict that has endured for generations.