UK and France Lead Calls to Recognize Palestinian State, Weakening US Opposition | WPN World People News

On the evening of July 29, the foreign ministers of France and Saudi Arabia attended a special United Nations meeting in New York, where 15 countries issued a joint statement urging the international community to take steps toward recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state. This aligns with French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent announcement that France will officially recognize Palestinian statehood in September.

The countries endorsing the joint statement include Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain.

France aims to create momentum for broader recognition of Palestine. On the same day, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Israel to take “concrete steps” toward a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, warning that the UK would also officially recognize a Palestinian state in September if progress is not made. With both the UK and France—two G7 nations—leading the initiative and joined by 14 other countries, the coalition seeks to reinforce a shared commitment to a two-state solution.

During the meeting, 17 countries, along with the European Union and the Arab League, also urged Hamas to disarm and end its rule in Gaza to bring the war to a close. On July 30, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that if the Palestinian Authority commits to holding elections in 2026 excluding Hamas and promises democratic reforms, Canada will also recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.