Emmanuel Macron announces the possible recognition of a Palestinian state in June

A pivotal moment for French diplomacy
On Wednesday, April 9, Emmanuel Macron announced that France is considering recognizing a Palestinian state by June, a decision that could be officially made during an international conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia in New York. This conference, scheduled for June, would be an opportunity to finalize a reciprocal recognition process between Palestine and Israel, a move that the French president deems necessary. “We must move toward this recognition,” he stated in an interview on France 5, emphasizing that France will take steps in the coming months to move forward in this direction.

A just move and a call for mutual recognition
Macron also discussed the motivations behind this move, stating that he is acting “because it is the right thing to do.” The president seeks to participate in a collective dynamic that encourages the recognition of Israel by countries that support the Palestinian cause, while condemning those who deny Israel’s right to exist, such as Iran. He emphasized that France is also committed to regional collective security as part of the two-state solution, which he sees as key to peace.

A long-term commitment to peace
This announcement is part of a continuation of previous statements, including in February 2024, when Emmanuel Macron affirmed that the recognition of a Palestinian state was “not taboo” for France. He had then stressed that this step was a duty towards the Palestinians, whose aspirations have long been ignored, but also towards Israel, which has suffered a heavy historical burden. Currently, 147 of the 193 UN member countries have recognized Palestine, and several European countries, including Spain, Ireland, and Norway, have recently taken this step.

A decisive conference in New York
The June conference in New York could therefore mark a turning point in the mutual recognition process between Israel and Palestine. Emmanuel Macron expressed hope that this event would advance the cause of peace, while positioning France as a central player in the resumption of negotiations.