European Powers Recognize Palestinian State Amidst Escalating Conflict

Tue Oct 21 2025 03:19:11 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Britain and France's recognition of Palestine at the UN signals a pivotal moment in seeking peace, diverging from US policies, as tensions remain high in Gaza.

In a historic move, the UK and France formally recognized Palestine at the United Nations, aiming to reinvigorate the two-state solution in the face of ongoing conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for peace and contrasted this with the US approach under the Trump administration, which continues to support Israeli policies. As military tensions escalate in Gaza and the West Bank, the European nations contend that their diplomatic efforts may yet offer a viable path forward. However, skepticism remains regarding their influence without the backing of the United States.

Britain and France's recognition of a state of Palestine at the United Nations is a historic moment in the century-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

But it is also a diplomatic gamble illustrating how major European powers believe the conflict has reached the point where it requires them to take such an unprecedented move.

Faced with the current catastrophe in Gaza, and meting out condemnation for both Israel and Hamas, French President Emmanuel Macron said 'right must prevail over might'.

His move, co-ordinated with the UK and under Saudi sponsorship, is meant to keep the two-state solution on life support.

They believe this long-held international formula for peace is the only path to a fair, shared future for the two societies.

The alternative, UN Secretary General António Guterres told a UN conference in New York, was a 'one-state' solution, meaning Israeli domination and the 'subjugation' of Palestinians.

Israel is furious and is threatening to respond. It sees the UN conference - along with recognition of a Palestinian state by the UK, France, Canada, Australia and others - as a reward for Hamas after its attack on Israel and its hostage taking of October 7, 2023.

Some Israeli ministers want the response to be an announcement of the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, forever ruling out a viable Palestinian state on the territory.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition, including far-right figures whose avowed policy is to expel Palestinians and build Jewish settlements in their place, is intent on pulling the plug on a two-state solution.

President Trump’s administration continues to back its Israeli ally, rejecting the Europeans' move and has barred Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the conference in New York.

Macron's strategy is an attempt to show that diplomacy offers a viable alternative, aiming for a workable end to the war in Gaza followed by a longer-term solution in the form of two states.

The European countries argue Israel's strategy has failed, resulting only in further civilian suffering and endangering the remaining hostages.

Importantly, the conference was also led by Saudi Arabia and supported by the Arab League, indicating a broader regional engagement.

However, the decision to recognize a Palestinian state against the wishes of Washington amounts to a significant diplomatic gamble.

This marks the deepest split ever between Washington and its European allies over how to solve this long-standing conflict.

Palestinians welcome their recognition from these European nations, but they also realize that such moves need the backing of the current superpower, the United States, for statehood to become a tangible reality.