Paris: A major shift is underway in European diplomacy as France prepares to officially recognize the State of Palestine, joining a growing bloc of countries across the continent. This move is set to take place in September, marking France as the first G7 country and first permanent UN Security Council member to endorse Palestinian statehood.
According to Anadolu Agency, within the past year, four European countries-Norway, Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia-have formally recognized the Palestinian State. France's upcoming declaration is expected to significantly accelerate this momentum. Currently, 11 European Union member states recognize the State of Palestine, and France's recognition will increase that number to 12 out of 27 members.
Recognition of Palestine by European countries is not entirely new. A core group of Eastern European countries, including Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Greek Cyprus, recognized Palestine as early as 1988. Sweden's recognition in 2014 marked a shift within Western and Northern Europe, despite facing diplomatic backlash from Israel and major European countries.
The deadlock was broken after October 7, 2023, when Israel intensified its strikes, leading European governments to reassess their diplomatic stance. Amid public pressure and accusations of complicity in Israel's actions, several European countries recognized Palestine to distance themselves from the ongoing conflict.
In May 2024, Spain, Ireland, and Norway recognized Palestine in a coordinated move to refocus efforts on finding a political solution to the Middle Eastern conflict. Slovenia followed suit a month later. French President Emmanuel Macron's recent announcement to recognize Palestine adds significant diplomatic weight to the movement.
France's decision comes amidst increased calls for a ceasefire and diplomatic pressure on Israel. Paris has even suspended its participation in international defense expos as part of its diplomatic strategy. France's recognition of Palestine is expected to influence undecided European countries, such as Belgium, Malta, and Luxembourg, towards similar action.
As of now, 142 UN member states recognize or have declared their intention to recognize Palestine, with France set to become the 143rd. However, influential Western nations like the US, UK, and Germany continue to withhold recognition.
The post-October 7 wave of recognition has revealed divisions within the EU. While some European states advocate for unilateral recognition to preserve the two-state solution, others, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Italy, remain resistant. Each of these countries has articulated its reasons for withholding recognition, often citing concerns about regional stability and security.
With the UN General Assembly approaching, France's recognition is expected to invigorate multilateral efforts to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. While recognition alone will not alter the situation in Gaza or the West Bank, it may carry legal, political, and diplomatic consequences, potentially leading to embassies, bilateral agreements, and increased engagement with Palestinian institutions. For Israel, this wave of recognitions deepens diplomatic isolation, despite its retaliatory measures and condemnation of the moves.