France’s President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the country may recognize a Palestinian state by June 2025. This declaration came during an interview on Wednesday, marking a significant potential shift in France’s foreign policy. If this recognition happens, France would become the first permanent member of the UN Security Council to do so.
Macron explained that this recognition would be part of a larger conference planned for June. The goal is to encourage Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel at the same time. "Our objective is somewhere in June, with Saudi Arabia, to chair this conference where we could finalize the movement towards reciprocal recognition by several countries,” he stated.
The French President framed this potential recognition as part of a broader strategy to counter Iran’s influence in the region. He emphasized that recognizing Palestine would clarify France’s stance against those who deny Israel’s right to exist, specifically pointing to Iran. Macron believes this move would reinforce collective security in the Middle East.
This is not the first time Macron has expressed support for Palestinian statehood. Last May, he suggested that the recognition could occur at a “useful moment,” potentially after the resolution of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and as part of a peace process.
However, the proposal has faced criticism. Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, condemned Macron’s suggestion, labeling it a "prize for terror."
Currently, Palestine is recognized by 147 out of 193 UN member states. In recent years, countries like Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Slovenia have also recognized Palestine, reflecting a growing international movement in support of Palestinian statehood.