France's President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he speaks during the presentation of the European Ocean Pact during the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which gathers leaders, researchers and activists to discuss how to protect marine life, in Nice, France. Copyright © BDCNnews. All Rights Reserved.
France Leads Diplomatic Push to Advance Palestinian Statehood
In a groundbreaking move on June 10, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas formally committed to a series of sweeping reforms ahead of the upcoming international conference slated for June 17–20 at UN Headquarters in New York . Co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, the summit aims to jumpstart progress toward Palestinian state recognition, disarm Hamas, and set the stage for a viable two-state solution.
Abbas’s Letter Condemns Hamas and Calls for Disarmament
In a letter addressed to President Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Abbas for the first time explicitly denounced Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, calling it “unacceptable,” while urging the early release of remaining hostages . He asserted that Hamas “must hand over its weapons and military capabilities” to the Palestinian Security Forces, and invited Arab and international forces under a UN mandate to support stabilization and protection in Gaza .
Concrete and “Unprecedented” Reform Commitments
Abbas’s letter contained several pledges described by the ĆlysĆ©e Palace as “concrete and unprecedented.” Key commitments include:
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PA institutional reforms and execution of presidential and legislative elections within one year, with international oversight
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Transforming the PA into the sole security authority for Palestinian territories—with Gaza under PA jurisdiction
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Establishing a binding peace roadmap to end Israeli occupation and resolve “final-status issues” under international supervision
These pledges align with demands outlined by France and Saudi Arabia for the upcoming conference .
Macron Signals Openness to Recognizing Palestinian State
President Macron has emphasized that recognizing a Palestinian state is both a moral duty and political imperative, signaling that formal French recognition could follow the UN summit—conditional on Abbas’s commitments. While initial ambitions for joint declarations at the conference were tempered, diplomatic sources indicate France is leaning toward unilateral or bilateral recognition, demonstrating strong symbolic leadership amid widespread European reevaluation of policy toward Israel .
Israel’s Opposition and Regional Pushbacks
Israel firmly rejected PA involvement in Gaza after the war, labeling any recognition effort as rewarding Hamas. Critics warn that premature recognition could backfire, risking instability . Internally, British officials have remained cautious, waiting for broader consensus to emerge before endorsing recognition.
Building International Momentum
France is actively lobbying key EU and Western partners—including the UK, Germany, Italy, Australia, and Belgium—to secure unified support for both recognition and PA reform. Australia has recently hinted it could follow France by recognizing Palestine for the first time. Meanwhile, a $53 billion reconstruction plan supported by France, Germany, Italy, and the UK envisions Gaza under a temporary PA-led administrative structure.
What to Expect at the UN Conference
The June 17–20 summit, titled High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, will focus on four pillars:
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Disarming Hamas
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Release of remaining hostages
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Palestinian Authority reform
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Post-war Gaza reconstruction under the PA
Eight working groups will cover issues like economic viability, international law, and specifics of state recognition and security architecture.
Why This Shift Matters
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Diplomatic leverage: France’s leadership pressure addresses growing European skepticism over Israel's actions in Gaza .
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Institutional legitimacy: Abbas’s formal condemnation of Hamas and stated commitment to democratically legitimate institutions increase the PA's credibility en.wikipedia.org+4timesofisrael.com+4reuters.com+4.
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Security diversification: Replacing Hamas’s rule with an expanded PA and international protective presence could stabilize Gaza jns.org.
Moving Forward: Risks and Opportunities
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Israeli opposition: Israel remains staunchly opposed to PA re-entry in Gaza and any unilateral Western recognition .
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Regional unity essential: France aims to secure support from EU members and Arab allies for coherent recognition strategy .
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On-the-ground realities: Implementation hinges on PA capacity to govern Gaza effectively, hold elections, and manage disarmament—conditions still fragile after years of conflict.