France has taken a firm stance on the issue of recognizing a Palestinian state, with Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne stating that the conditions are not yet right for such a decision to have a real impact. This position sets France apart from countries like Ireland, Spain, and Norway, who have announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state on May 28 in hopes of advancing efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza war.
Sejourne emphasized that France views the recognition of a Palestinian state as more than just a symbolic or political gesture, but as a diplomatic tool that should contribute to the achievement of a two-state solution between Palestinians and Israelis. French diplomats have stressed that symbolic recognition without genuine negotiations would do little to change the situation on the ground.
France has been working on a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that it plans to table over the summer, aiming to bring the parameters for talks on a two-state solution back to the Security Council. The country also seeks to condemn the Islamist militant group Hamas following a deadly attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war.
The United States, Israel’s main ally, believes that a Palestinian state should be achieved through negotiations rather than unilateral recognition. With the U.S. holding veto power at the United Nations, France’s efforts to push for a resolution on the issue face significant challenges. The diplomatic landscape surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains complex and fraught with obstacles to progress.