Thu Apr 10 07:01:32 UTC 2025: ## France to Recognize Palestinian State, Boosting International Support Amidst Gaza Conflict
**PARIS/NEW YORK** – France is poised to formally recognize the State of Palestine within months, President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday. The recognition, potentially occurring at a UN conference in June aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, follows a recent surge in international support for Palestinian statehood. This move could trigger reciprocal recognition of Israel by some Middle Eastern nations, Macron suggested.
The announcement was welcomed by the Palestinian Authority as a positive step. It comes amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza and a wave of recognitions by ten additional countries: Mexico, Armenia, Slovenia, Ireland, Norway, Spain, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados.
Currently, 147 UN member states (75% of the total) already recognize Palestine, along with the Holy See. This growing international recognition is seen as strengthening Palestine’s global standing, enhancing its ability to hold Israel accountable for its actions in the occupied territories, and pressuring Western powers to actively pursue a two-state solution.
The number of countries recognizing Palestine has steadily increased since Yasser Arafat’s declaration of independence in 1988. While initial support came largely from the Global South, recent recognitions include several European nations, although major Western powers, including the G7 countries, have yet to follow suit. Israel has reacted negatively to some of these recognitions, recalling ambassadors and vowing to expand settlements in the West Bank. The debate over Palestinian statehood continues, with other European nations such as Malta and Belgium currently considering recognition.
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