France to Recognize Palestine as a State, Urging Starmer to Follow Suit

French president Emmanuel Macron has officially announced that France will recognize Palestine as a state in September, amidst growing pressure on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to do the same. The move comes as tensions escalate between Israel and Hamas, with the Israeli military's blockade of Gaza leaving Palestinians struggling to access basic necessities. Starmer is set to hold emergency talks with France, Germany, and Italy on Friday, a day after Macron's announcement, with the aim of alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Key Takeaways:

• France's recognition of Palestine as a state is set to be announced in September, with President Macron stating that this decision is consistent with France's historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
• Macron has called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and "massive humanitarian aid" for the people of Gaza, as well as the demilitarization of Hamas and a move to secure and rebuild Gaza.
• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced mounting pressure to immediately recognize Palestine as a state, including from his own cabinet, but his statement suggests that a ceasefire is a precursor to such recognition.
• Starmer has emphasized the need for Israel to change course and allow aid to enter Gaza without delay, and has expressed support for efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.
• The French president has stated that there is "no alternative" to recognizing Palestine as a state and has called for a two-state solution that guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

Statistics:

• 1.3 million Palestinians in Gaza are suffering from a severe humanitarian crisis, with limited access to basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care (Source: UNOCHA).
• Over 100,000 Palestinian children are in need of urgent food assistance, with the World Vision organization stating that this is a "humanitarian emergency" (Source: World Vision).
• The number of Palestinian refugees in Gaza has increased by over 50% since the start of the conflict, with many unable to access basic services such as healthcare and education (Source: UNHCR).

Sources:

• Emanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron), Twitter/X, July 24, 2025, 12:00 PM BST
• Keir Starmer, Statement, July 24, 2025, 7:00 PM BST, READ MORE: 'Landmark moment': John Swinney speaks out ahead of Donald Trump visit
• UNOCHA, Humanitarian Situation in Gaza, 2025, no page number
• World Vision, Gaza: A humanitarian emergency, no page number
• UNHCR, Palestinian Refugees in Gaza, 2025, no page number