UK and France Back Away from Recognizing Palestinian State at June Conference

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

LONDON / PARIS (Worthy News) – The United Kingdom and France have reversed course on a previously discussed plan to recognize a Palestinian state at an upcoming international conference in New York, opting instead to outline future conditions for recognition, according to diplomatic sources cited by The Guardian and Middle East Eye.

The conference, scheduled for 17-20 June, was initially seen as a potential breakthrough moment after French President Emmanuel Macron called recognition “a moral duty and political requirement.” French officials had even floated the idea that a joint move, possibly paired with Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel, could help unlock a stalled peace process.

However, in recent days, Paris reportedly informed Israeli officials that recognition would not take place during the event. Instead, France and the UK will focus on a roadmap contingent on a series of demands placed on the Palestinians: a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, internal reform of the Palestinian Authority, Hamas’ removal from power, and comprehensive economic reconstruction.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot acknowledged the retreat, calling immediate recognition “symbolic” and emphasizing France’s responsibility as a UN Security Council member to act in concert with allies.

Public Opinion: Support for Two-State Solution Hits Historic Low

The diplomatic backpedaling comes as public sentiment among Israelis reflects a sharp decline in hope for a peaceful resolution. A new Pew Research Center survey released this week shows that support for a two-state solution has dropped to its lowest point on record. Only 21% of Israelis now believe that peaceful coexistence between Israel and a future Palestinian state is possible — a dramatic fall from 50% in 2013, when Pew first asked the question.

The poll, conducted from February 5 to March 11 during a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza war, reveals a deep erosion of trust. Among Jewish Israelis, optimism has plummeted to just 16%. Arab Israelis remain more hopeful, with 40% believing in the potential for peaceful coexistence.

The survey also highlights the core barriers to peace as perceived by the Israeli public. Mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians was cited by 75% of respondents as a major obstacle. The status of Jerusalem followed at 70%, while 52% pointed to ongoing Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank as a significant hindrance to peace efforts.

International Friction and Israeli Pushback

Although 147 nations worldwide have recognized Palestine, most European countries have withheld recognition, traditionally linking it to a final-status agreement with Israel. But recent moves by Ireland, Spain, and Norway to recognize Palestinian statehood unilaterally have increased pressure on major EU players to act.

Despite this trend, the U.S. reportedly pressured both London and Paris to hold back, warning of geopolitical destabilization. Meanwhile, Israel responded forcefully: Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to construct 22 new settlements in the West Bank, declaring it “a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state.”

The Israeli Knesset remains overwhelmingly opposed to Palestinian statehood, as reaffirmed in a July 2024 vote. Only Palestinian lawmakers and a single left-wing Jewish MP supported the measure.

A War with No End in Sight

Israel’s war on Gaza continues unabated after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel that left roughly 1,200 dead. The Israeli military’s campaign in Gaza has since killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, according to UN reports. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with the UN warning of an “imminent famine” affecting the besieged enclave.

Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas told Middle East Eye that international pressure is mounting not only for humanitarian reasons but because the current course is unsustainable. “The message to Israel should be: ‘We are your friends, we want you to succeed, but this cannot go on… Netanyahu is driving you to unmitigated and irreparable disaster. Wake up, we are here to help.'”

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