Both Great Britain and Canada followed in the footsteps of France, although with some reservations, and Germany seems to be more and more likely to limit their strong support for Israel, unless this this does not take further action to end the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.
Changing the attitude in favor of the recognition of Palestine may be a small consolation for people on the verge of hunger in the Gaza Strip, but it is clear that Macron headed the Western European initiative to fulfill this eternal postulate of the Palestinian nation.
“It's definitely a moment of France,” says Hamza Hraoui, director of the international company MGH Partners based in Paris, dealing with public transport and strategic consulting. – This is a point for French diplomacy – he adds.
The President of France has been signaled for months that France will recognize the Palestinian state as the first state from the G7 group. Macron said in April that he would strive to recognize Palestine's statehood, but set a number of ambitious conditions, including the need to normalize the relations of several Middle East countries with Israel.
Macron hoped that the place of such a joint move would be a UN conference organized by France and Saudi Arabia, But this idea collapsed with the end of the weapon suspension between Hamas and Israel. The conference itself, originally planned for June, was postponed after Israeli raids on Iran.
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However, as the former French ambassador in the Mediterranean region, Karim Amellal – Macron remained motivated to act after meeting Gaza residents in the hospital in Egypt in April.
“He was still talking about it … he discussed it with everyone, even while traveling to Southeast Asia,” says Amellal.
So Macron turned to the countries of G7 and European partners to take the initiative again. If several countries joined Paris, a nuclear power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Israel could be forced to listen to their voice.
“He hoped that Great Britain would follow him”
Considering Macron's pressure on the recognition of the Palestinian state in consultation with allies, The moment and form of his statement were a surprise. The French official close to Macron, who for protocol reasons did not want to reveal his name, indicates that nothing was completely determined before Macron decided to take “risk”. However, it seems that this risk paid off.
“He calculated that Great Britain would go in the same direction,” says a former British diplomat, who was ensured anonymity.
Mohammed Saber / PAP
Palestinians are waiting for a portion of food from a charity kitchen in a refugee camp in the northern part of the Gaza Strip
On Tuesday, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the United Kingdom would recognize the Palestinian state in September, unless the Israeli government takes “important steps” to end the crisis in the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday, the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Ottawa would do the same if the Palestinian autonomy keeps the promise to carry out elections next year, “in which Hamas will not be able to participate”.
Then the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday's statement that the trial that would lead to Solutions based on two countries, “must start now.”
The pursuit of recognition of the Palestinian state also echoed in Brussels, but the European Union has not yet managed to agree any steps aimed at condemning Israel, including a plan to suspend cooperation in the field of science and technology with this country.
Ultimately, the real test of success will be the reaction of Washington, the closest ally of Israel, to appeals for the creation of the Palestinian state.
The US president ignored European diplomatic efforts, but it seems that he also loses his patience to the Prime Minister of Israel Binjamin Netanyahu in connection with the war in the Gaza Strip. “Even Donald Trump says that hunger cannot be pretended,” notes Hraoui.
“Nobody has the ability to act in Europe,” says Amellal. – But this is the only impulse that works now.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
