French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of recognising the Palestinians at the upcoming UN General Assembly session is likely to provide a fresh breath of life to the “obsolete” world body, as three nations face off in a diplomatic battle.
France’s decision has been met with severe criticism from the Israeli state, along with its staunch backer and ally, the United States, both of which have called the decision “reckless.”
The upcoming conference, co-chaired by Riyadh and Paris, will see France become the 142nd country to recognise the Palestinian state.
An analyst at the International Crisis Group, Richard Gowan, said France’s decision would breathe new life into a conference that seemed destined for irrelevance. “Macron’s announcement has completely tilted the game,” he added.
France, being the most powerful country in the EU bloc, is expected to set a precedent for others to follow suit despite US pressure. Reports suggest Macron has grown frustrated with the Israeli government and its military conduct in Gaza, particularly for starving the poor and desperate population.
The French president has consistently criticised Israeli actions in the occupied territory after Tel Aviv failed to implement the recommendations of the E3 nations, which include France, Germany and Britain.
In an interview last week, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that other European countries would confirm “their intention to recognise the State of Palestine” during the conference, without specifying which ones.
France hopes that other states in the EU will follow suit, especially after more than 221 British MPs on Friday pushed Keir Starmer to recognise an independent Palestinian state formally.
According to statistics, at least 142 member states out of 193 nations, including France, have now recognised the Palestinian state.
Barrot said, “It is coming at a moment when the prospect of a Palestinian state has never been so threatened or so necessary.”
Israel’s military conduct and its operations in Gaza are being questioned for failing to inflict a decisive defeat on Hamas or secure the release of the captives.
Both the United States and Israel will not take part in the meeting, while international pressure continues to mount on Israel to end nearly two years of war in Gaza.
In a recent interview after yet another round of ceasefire talks stalled in Qatar, US President Donald Trump called on Netanyahu to finish Hamas.
The international community has raised concerns that this will allow Israeli forces to kill more people with impunity under the guise of targeting Hamas fighters.
Gowan said he expected “very fierce criticism of Israel.”
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