UNITED NATIONS. Dozens of world leaders voiced support for the recognition of a Palestinian state during a high-level meeting at the United Nations on Monday, a significant diplomatic shift nearly two years into the Gaza war that faces strong opposition from Israel and the United States.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would formally recognize Palestine at the meeting he convened with Saudi Arabia, calling the move a step toward keeping the two-state solution alive. “We must pave the way for peace,” Macron said. “We must do everything within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.” His remarks were met with lengthy applause.
The announcement comes as Israel’s government, described as the most far-right in its history, has rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israeli forces continue their offensive in Gaza against Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack that killed some 1,200 people in Israel. Local health authorities say more than 65,000 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, with Israel facing global criticism for its military conduct.
Israel launched a long-threatened ground assault on Gaza City in recent weeks, with no sign of a ceasefire on the horizon. Israeli officials have warned that international recognition of Palestine will undermine the prospects for peace.
Other leaders joined Macron in voicing support. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres all took part in the event. Sanchez, whose government recognized Palestine in 2024, told Reuters that momentum for recognition is growing. “Within Western society, there’s a large majority nowadays of countries that already recognize the Palestine state,” he said.
Macron outlined a framework for a renewed Palestinian Authority under which France would open an embassy, subject to reforms, a ceasefire, and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Ahead of this week’s UN General Assembly, Luxembourg, Malta, Belgium, and Monaco also joined the majority of UN member states that recognize Palestine.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, unable to attend after being denied a U.S. visa, urged nations via video link to extend their support. “We call for your support so that Palestine becomes a full-fledged member of the United Nations,” he said, promising reforms and elections within a year of a ceasefire.
Currently, Palestine holds observer status at the UN without voting rights. Full membership requires approval from the Security Council, where the United States holds veto power.
The United States and Israel boycotted Monday’s meeting. Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said his government would consider its response after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns from his scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on September 29. Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected calls to recognize a Palestinian state, insisting that the war against Hamas must continue until the group is destroyed.
While more European countries are moving to recognize Palestine, key states such as Germany and Italy have signaled reluctance. Germany, citing its historical responsibility for the Holocaust, insists recognition should follow a negotiated peace process, while Italy warned recognition could be “counterproductive.”
Israel is reportedly weighing the possible annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank as a response to the recognition efforts, despite risks of alienating Arab states such as the United Arab Emirates, which normalized ties with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords. The UAE has warned that annexation would undermine the agreement.
The United States has also cautioned against punitive measures targeting Israel, including potential consequences for France as host of the UN summit.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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