President Emmanuel Macron will formally recognise a Palestinian state in New York on Monday, backed by several other European countries, describing France's move as a necessity.
Coming hard on the heels of a decision by the UK, Canada and Australia, Macron said his move would be the beginning of a political process and a peace and security plan for everybody.
France, like the UK, carries considerable diplomatic weight as both a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the G7, and is co-ordinating the push with Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of this week's UN General Assembly.
Paris will not be joined by two of the other big European states in the G7, Germany and Italy, and not by the US either.
Israel has denounced the move as a reward for Hamas, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting there will be no Palestinian state west of the River Jordan. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that the recognition is a categorical rejection of Hamas, reinforcing France's commitment to a two-state solution.
As the recognition of Palestinian statehood unfolds, various European nations are taking differing stances, leading to tensions within Europe and criticism of the potential implications on the ground. Macron’s announcement is considered a gamble with mixed expectations on its impact.
