France’s Historic Recognition of Palestine Sparks Global Reactions
Macron's announcement of Palestine's recognition at the UN prompts mixed global reactions.
- • Macron officially recognized Palestine at the UN on September 22, 2023.
- • 149 countries have recognized Palestine since 1988; France follows UK and others.
- • Recognition intensifies rift with the U.S., which opposes the initiative.
- • Mixed reactions domestically, with some leaders supporting and others criticizing.
Key details
On September 22, 2023, President Emmanuel Macron declared France's official recognition of the State of Palestine during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, a move that signifies a major shift in international politics regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This announcement was met with a standing ovation, highlighting its significance amidst ongoing global tensions over Gaza and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The recognition aligns France with a growing number of countries; since 1988, a total of 149 nations have acknowledged Palestine as a state. This trend has been particularly pronounced recently, with France following in the footsteps of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Portugal, which recognized Palestine just a day earlier. Approximately 75% of UN member states now support Palestinian statehood, with discussions intensifying in Europe regarding the response to Israel's actions against Palestinians.
Macron's decision has sparked a range of international responses. Leaders in Australia and the UK welcomed the recognition, viewing it as an essential step towards achieving Palestinian self-determination. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supported Macron's stance, whereas reactions from the United States have been overwhelmingly negative, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly attempting to undermine France’s initiative and discourage other nations from recognizing Palestine. The Washington Post noted that this development marks a significant rift between France and the U.S., with four of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council now acknowledging Palestine.
Despite the international acclaim, the recognition has been contentious within France, facing criticism from right-wing groups and some factions of the left. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Insoumise, commended the move as a "historic victory" for self-determination and criticized Macron's UN address as insufficiently clear on the implications of this recognition.
In Israel, the response was equally sharp. The Israeli ambassador to France warned that France may be becoming a destabilizing agent in the region, criticizing the recognition as detrimental to peace efforts.
Overall, Macron's initiative not only reaffirmed France's commitment to Palestinian statehood but also has the potential to reshape diplomatic dynamics in the region significantly.