France is moving ahead with a controversial plan to recognize Palestine as a state, but major European allies are refusing to follow. Britain, Germany, and Italy each said now is not the right time—and that Macron’s decision may do more harm than good.
Key Facts:
- French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.
- British PM Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni refused to support the move.
- Starmer insisted conditions must be met first, such as the return of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire.
- Meloni criticized Macron’s approach, calling it “counterproductive” to recognize something that “doesn’t exist.”
- Israel and the United States harshly condemned Macron, with Trump saying the decision “doesn’t carry any weight.”
The Rest of The Story:
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France will formally recognize a Palestinian state in September.
The announcement immediately drew backlash from Israel, the U.S., and key European allies.
Macron’s declaration, made during ongoing Gaza conflict negotiations, puts France at odds with the majority of NATO partners.
While Macron spoke with British, German, and Italian leaders on Friday, he failed to convince them to back his plan.
Each leader emphasized a desire for peace in Gaza but rejected immediate recognition of Palestine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said recognition must be part of a broader peace effort that includes a hostage release and ceasefire.
“Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps… But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security,” Starmer said, according to The Times of London.
He added that the UK would focus on humanitarian aid, including air drops and medical care for children evacuated from Gaza.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took an even firmer stance.
She told Macron directly that recognizing a state that lacks borders or democratic structure could mislead the world into thinking the conflict is resolved.
“The recognition of the State of Palestine, without there being a State of Palestine, can even be counterproductive,” she said.
Germany echoed these concerns. A government spokesman said recognition should come only after progress toward a two-state solution and the disarmament of Hamas.
The current priority, they argued, is ending violence and securing hostages’ release.
I love Trump🤣🩷
Trump on Macron:
“Here’s the good news, what he says doesn’t matter. His statement doesn’t carry any weight.” pic.twitter.com/eOBKrbO7S6
— Cheryl E 🇮🇱🎗️ (@CherylWroteIt) July 25, 2025
Commentary:
France’s unilateral move to recognize Palestine is reckless and self-serving.
Macron appears desperate to score points with his left-wing base and the growing Muslim immigrant population, both of whom favor recognition.
With his approval ratings circling the drain, Macron is betting that symbolic gestures will rescue his political future.
It’s unlikely to work—and it may destabilize the region further.
By contrast, Britain, Germany, and Italy showed maturity and restraint. They are right to insist that conditions must be met before statehood is on the table.
Rewarding Hamas after the October 7 attacks would signal that terrorism pays. That is a dangerous precedent no democratic nation should set.
Macron’s decision not only defies common sense but threatens to fracture NATO unity.
If France moves forward alone, it risks isolating itself diplomatically while lending support—intentionally or not—to a regime widely accused of harboring terrorists.
The Israeli government called Macron’s plan a “black mark on France’s history,” and they’re not wrong.
Backing a Hamas-linked entity under the guise of statehood is not peacekeeping. It’s political theater that emboldens radicals.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio hit the nail on the head, calling Macron’s statement a “slap in the face” to the victims of Hamas terrorism.
Meanwhile, President Trump was dismissive but clear: “What he says doesn’t matter.”
In this case, that’s both an insult and a reality check.
Let’s also be clear—Macron’s push will not bring peace. It could spark more division, more violence, and more confusion in a region already teetering on the edge.
Real peace comes through negotiation, not one-sided declarations.
If Macron truly wants to help the Palestinian people, he’d be better off demanding reforms from their leadership—starting with elections, disarmament of terror groups, and an end to incitement.
Until then, France’s gesture is little more than a diplomatic stunt.
The Bottom Line:
France is charging ahead with plans to recognize a Palestinian state, but major European allies are standing firm against it.
Macron’s push is widely seen as premature, politically motivated, and out of step with the needs for lasting peace.
With the rest of NATO focused on hostages, ceasefire, and real solutions, France risks being alone on the world stage—and not for the better.
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