France, the United Kingdom, and Germany demand that Israel allow aid into Gaza and end the war.

Macron's announcement puts pressure on London and Berlin to recognize the Palestinian state.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz last week in the United Kingdom.
Beatriz Juez
25/07/2025
4 min

BerlinFrench President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France will recognize the Palestinian state in September adds pressure on the United Kingdom and, above all, Germany to take this step, in view of the situation in Gaza, where hunger worsens day by day because of the Israeli blockadeFrance is the first G-7 member to recognize the Palestinian state, a decision that has been criticized by Israel and the United States.

Macron's announcement appears to be beginning to influence the public stance of Germany and the United Kingdom regarding the situation in Gaza. This Friday afternoon, the three countries issued a joint statement: "The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza must end now," they demand. They also call on Israel to "immediately lift restrictions on the entry of aid" into the Strip. London, Paris, and Berlin emphasize that "withholding essential humanitarian assistance for the civilian population is unacceptable." They also call for "an end to the war in Gaza" and an "immediate ceasefire," as well as the release of the hostages and the disarmament of Hamas.

The statement also opposes "efforts to impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories" and the violence with which Israeli jobs are carried out. The three countries pledged to work with international partners to "develop a specific and credible plan for the next phase in Gaza that establishes a transitional government and security measures, and ensures the delivery of large-scale humanitarian aid," and called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces and officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu condemned Macron's move to recognize the state of Palestine, saying it is a decision that "rewards terror." "A Palestinian state under these conditions would be a launching pad to annihilate Israel, not to live in peace alongside it," Netanyahu denounced. Washington also attacked Paris. "This irresponsible decision only serves Hamas propaganda and represents a setback for peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In France, the left applauded Macron's decision to recognize the Palestinian state, while the right and far-right criticized it. "Why in September and not now? And the arms embargo?" asked left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. "Recognizing a Palestinian state today is recognizing a Hamas state and therefore a terrorist state," reacted far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who, although in favor of a two-state solution, believes that recognition now "legitimizes the mass murderers of October 7" and constitutes "a political mistake."

Of the 193 members of the United Nations, 147 recognize the State of Palestine, including Norway, Ireland, Spain, and seven other European Union countries. France will formalize this recognition at the UN General Assembly in September. The United Kingdom and Germany, both members of the G-7, do not recognize Palestine as an independent state.

Merz and Starmer resist

The statement is a change of position by the German government, which refused to sign the letter from 28 countries that same week he urged Netanyahu to stop the war. Israel's security is of paramount importance to the federal government as a result of Germany's historical responsibility for the murder of six million European Jews at the hands of the Nazis in the Holocaust. Domestic pressure is also mounting in Germany for the Merz government to take a tougher stance toward Israel regarding the situation in Gaza. Some 130 mostly young German diplomats have formed a group within the Foreign Ministry to demand that the government more clearly criticize the Israeli government, the magazine SpiegelThe governing coalition, made up of the conservative CDU-CSU and the Social Democrats, is divided on how to address the war in the Middle East. More and more Social Democrats are calling on the government to act more harshly with Israel.

However, it does not appear that Germany and the United Kingdom are willing to support France in recognizing the Palestinian state. Germany has openly stated that it does not plan to do so, as recently reiterated by sources in the Foreign Office. The German government continues to view recognition as one of the final steps on the path to achieving a two-state solution. But before taking this step, it believes there are more urgent issues, including achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, freeing the hostages held by Hamas, achieving a viable political perspective for Gaza, and Israel's "immediate and dramatic" improvement in the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Strip, the same sources added. In this regard, the Merz government advocates a two-state solution to the conflict between Palestine and Israel, but believes that only a negotiated solution between the two states will guarantee lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians.

The sister of one of those killed in Gaza weeps during yesterday's funeral.

A similar situation is unfolding in London. Although recognizing Palestine as a state was one of Starmer's campaign promises, the United Kingdom is still resisting it and also says that the priority is ending the humanitarian crisis. Following Macron's announcement, Starmer stated in a statement that "statehood is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people," but that a ceasefire is first necessary, which "will put us on a path towards recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution that guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis."

The pressure is also palpable in Downing Street. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called on the British government to follow France's example, believing that the United Kingdom "should lead this initiative, rather than lag behind." "Recognize the independent state of Palestine now and lead the search for a two-state solution and lasting peace," Davey demanded. This Friday, 125 British Conservative and Labour MPs asked Starmer to do the same in a letter. The signatories believe that "British recognition of Palestine would be particularly significant, given its role as author of the Balfour Declaration and former mandatory power in Palestine." "Since 1980, we have supported a two-state solution. This recognition would give substance to this position and live up to the historic responsibility we have to the people under this mandate," the MPs added.

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