France and Palestine Forge New Steps Toward Palestinian Statehood and Constitution

In a landmark diplomatic encounter on November 11, 2025, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Paris for the first time as President of the State of Palestine. Received with high honors including a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, the visit highlighted France’s pivotal role in supporting Palestinian statehood and constitutional development.

During talks lasting over two hours, the two leaders announced the creation of a joint committee tasked with drafting the Constitution for the newly recognized Palestinian state. This initiative comes amid plans to reform the Palestinian Authority, with Abbas affirming his commitment to organizing presidential and legislative elections. Macron confirmed these elections are scheduled to take place one year after the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which encompasses Hamas disarmament.

Macron also provided strong diplomatic support by underscoring that any Israeli plans for annexing parts or all of the West Bank represent a "red line." He condemned increased settler violence and expansion of colonization projects, branding them violations of international law that threaten regional stability. France and its European partners have vowed to respond forcefully should annexation proceed.

This visit follows France’s recent diplomatic recognition of the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly, elevating French-Palestinian relations and symbolizing renewed international support for Palestinian sovereignty.

Abbas’s Paris trip and discussions with Macron signal an intensification of efforts to consolidate Palestinian state institutions. The joint constitutional committee represents a critical step toward defining governance frameworks, while upcoming elections and commitment to ceasefire implementation aim to restore political legitimacy and peace prospects in the region.

President Macron described the developments as "essential reforms for the establishment of a Palestinian state," and reaffirmed France’s stance opposing annexation in the West Bank, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful and negotiated solution. Abbas, for his part, expressed openness to collaborate on institutional reforms and state-building efforts.

The current momentum in French-Palestinian relations marks a significant chapter in advancing Palestinian self-determination and international diplomatic backing, with the next phases focusing on constitutional drafting and full implementation of electoral processes.