France has announced it will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly this September, marking a bold shift in the international landscape and a rare move among G7 nations. President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the decision, framing it as a necessary step toward a just and lasting peace.

The announcement comes as Gaza faces one of the darkest chapters in its history. With tens of thousands killed since October 2023, famine spreading, and infrastructure in ruins, France’s recognition is seen by Palestinians as a long-overdue gesture of political courage and moral clarity

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed the move, noting that France joins a growing number of European countries, like Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia, that have formally recognised Palestinian statehood in recent months. The Palestinian Authority praised the decision as “a victory for Palestinian rights,” while resistance groups urged other EU nations to follow suit.

Predictably, Israel and the United States responded with sharp criticism. But for many Palestinians, these reactions only highlight the hypocrisy that has shielded Israeli impunity for decades.

France’s stance breaks that silence. And in doing so, it sends a message: Palestine’s right to statehood cannot be indefinitely delayed or held hostage to endless negotiations while its people are starved, bombed, and displaced.