France has officially announced its decision to recognize Palestine as an independent nation, marking a major geopolitical shift. President Emmanuel Macron stated that France will formally declare this recognition during the upcoming UN General Assembly in September.
Macron emphasized the urgent need to end the war in Gaza, ensure civilian safety, and deliver large-scale humanitarian aid. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said, “Peace is possible. Immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian support to Gaza are crucial.”
Palestinian authorities welcome, Israel slams
The announcement has been welcomed by Palestinian officials, but met with sharp criticism from Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned France’s move, calling it “a reward for terrorism.”
President Macron reiterated France’s commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, stating that recognizing Palestine as a state is aligned with that goal.
| Country | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇨 | Ecuador | 12-27-2010 |
| 🇧🇹 | Bhutan | 12-25-1988 |
| 🇨🇫 | Central African Republic | 12-23-1988 |
| 🇧🇮 | Burundi | 12-22-1988 |
| 🇳🇵 | Nepal | 12-19-1988 |
| 🇧🇼 | Botswana | 12-19-1988 |
| 🌍 | DR Congo | 12-18-1988 |
| 🇧🇴 | Bolivia | 12-17-2010 |
| 🇮🇸 | Iceland | 12-15-2011 |
| 🇵🇱 | Poland | 12-14-1988 |
| 🇴🇲 | Oman | 12-13-1988 |
| 🇬🇦 | Gabon | 12-12-1988 |
| 🇸🇹 | Sao Tome and Principe | 12-10-1988 |
| 🇲🇿 | Mozambique | 12-08-1988 |
| 🇦🇷 | Argentina | 12-06-2010 |
| 🇦🇴 | Angola | 12-06-1988 |
| 🇨🇬 | Republic of the Congo | 12-05-1988 |
| 🇧🇷 | Brazil | 12-03-2011 |
| 🇺🇬 | Uganda | 12-03-1988 |
| 🇸🇱 | Sierra Leone | 12-03-1988 |
| 🇱🇦 | Laos | 12-02-1988 |
| 🇨🇮 | Ivory Coast | 12-01-2008 |
| 🇹🇩 | Chad | 12-01-1988 |
| 🇱🇧 | Lebanon | 11-30-2008 |
| 🇬🇭 | Ghana | 11-29-1988 |
| 🇿🇼 | Zimbabwe | 11-29-1988 |
| 🇹🇬 | Togo | 11-29-1988 |
| 🇲🇻 | Maldives | 11-28-1988 |
| 🇧🇬 | Bulgaria | 11-25-1988 |
| 🇹🇿 | Tanzania | 11-24-1988 |
| 🇳🇪 | Niger | 11-24-1988 |
| 🇰🇵 | North Korea | 11-24-1988 |
| 🇷🇴 | Romania | 11-24-1988 |
| 🇨🇻 | Cape Verde | 11-24-1988 |
| 🇭🇺 | Hungary | 11-23-1988 |
| 🇸🇳 | Senegal | 11-22-1988 |
| 🇲🇳 | Mongolia | 11-22-1988 |
| 🇲🇱 | Mali | 11-21-1988 |
| 🇧🇫 | Burkina Faso | 11-21-1988 |
| 🇰🇭 | Cambodia | 11-21-1988 |
| 🇬🇳 | Guinea | 11-21-1988 |
| 🇬🇼 | Guinea-Bissau | 11-21-1988 |
| 🇰🇲 | Comoros | 11-21-1988 |
| 🇨🇳 | China | 11-20-1988 |
| 🇷🇺 | Russia | 11-19-1988 |
| 🇻🇳 | Vietnam | 11-19-1988 |
| 🇺🇦 | Ukraine | 11-19-1988 |
| 🇧🇾 | Belarus | 11-19-1988 |
| 🇳🇦 | Namibia | 11-19-1988 |
| 🇮🇳 | India | 11-18-1988 |
| 🇳🇬 | Nigeria | 11-18-1988 |
| 🇪🇬 | Egypt | 11-18-1988 |
| 🇱🇰 | Sri Lanka | 11-18-1988 |
| 🇨🇿 | Czech Republic | 11-18-1988 |
| 🇸🇰 | Slovakia | 11-18-1988 |
| 🇬🇲 | Gambia | 11-18-1988 |
| 🇨🇾 | Cyprus | 11-18-1988 |
| 🇸🇨 | Seychelles | 11-18-1988 |
U.S. also opposes France’s move
The United States has also reacted strongly. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the declaration, warning it would only fuel Hamas propaganda. On X, Rubio wrote, “America opposes Macron’s plan to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly.”
Global recognition growing
According to World Population Review, nearly 140 countries have now recognized Palestine as a sovereign state. This includes all Arab nations, members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement. Just last year, Ireland, Norway, and Spain also recognized Palestine as an independent nation.
However, many Western powers including the U.S., UK, France, Germany, and Australia have historically refrained from recognizing Palestinian statehood, citing a need for resolution through peace talks.
