TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - France is set to officially recognize Palestine as a state, a significant move from one of Europe's main powers. According to an Al Jazeera report, President Emmanuel Macron directly delivered this firm statement, indicating a major shift in France's diplomatic stance.
Through a social media post, Macron stated that the decision will be formalized at a global forum. This announcement comes amid increasing international attention on the conflict in Gaza, which has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis due to aid restrictions.
"Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine. I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September," he wrote.
This move by France will make it the largest and most influential country in Europe to formally recognize the Palestinian state. This decision is not an isolated step but a continuation of a growing wave of support previously demonstrated by other European countries.
The following is a list of European countries that recognize the state of Palestine:
1. Slovenia (2024)
On June 4, 2024, the Slovenian government officially announced its recognition of the state of Palestine, following in the footsteps of other European nations such as Ireland, Norway, and Spain.
This decision reaffirms Slovenia's consistent stance, which has strongly criticized Israel's military actions in Gaza.
While condemning the actions of both Hamas and Israel, Slovenia continues to call on the international community to hold Israeli leaders accountable.
This position contrasts with other EU members like Germany, Hungary, and the Netherlands, who strongly support the Israeli government, highlighting a divergence of views within the bloc.
2. Norway (2024)
A significant diplomatic step was taken by Norway, Ireland, and Spain on May 22, 2024, when all three European countries simultaneously announced their official recognition of the state of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders.
This move sparked swift and opposing reactions. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas welcomed this development, while the Israeli government responded forcefully. Israel immediately recalled its ambassadors from Oslo, Dublin, and Madrid, and summoned representatives from the three countries to Tel Aviv.
Then-Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store explained that the decision was an investment to achieve the "only solution" for peace in the Middle East—"two states living side by side in peace and security"—while emphasizing that this move also aimed to support "moderate forces" whose position is increasingly marginalized in the conflict.
3. Ireland (2024)
Simultaneously with Norway, Ireland officially recognized the state of Palestine. The Irish government expressed hope that this historic decision would accelerate efforts towards a ceasefire in the war in Gaza.
Then-Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar explained that this step had a broader strategic purpose. "The joint step with several EU countries to recognize Palestine can create a more balanced bargaining position in negotiations for a two-state solution after the Gaza war ends," Varadkar stated.
Ireland's move was widely seen as a diplomatic effort to build a foundation for fairer negotiations in the future.
4. Spain (2024)
Spain's commitment to recognize the state of Palestine has been a top priority since Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez formed his new government in November 2023, at which time he affirmed that recognition would be a key priority in Spain's foreign policy.
This commitment was then actualized when Spain officially recognized Palestinian sovereignty on May 22, 2024, alongside Norway and Ireland. However, after a high-level EU meeting in Brussels, Sanchez clarified that Spain did not wish to take this step alone. He stressed his government's preference to move collectively with other EU countries.
"We want to take this step together," said Sanchez, emphasizing that this collective action is crucial to laying the foundations for lasting peace.
5. Sweden (2014)
Sweden became the first EU member state in Western Europe to take this historic step. On October 30, 2014, the government in Stockholm officially recognized the sovereignty of the Palestinian state, a decision announced less than a month after the intention was first voiced.
Sweden's move was met with contrasting reactions. Palestine welcomed the decision with joy, while Israel lodged strong protests. The Israeli government responded by recalling its ambassador in Sweden for consultations and summoning the Swedish ambassador in Tel Aviv as a sign of disapproval.
Yolanda Agne, Rachel Farahdiba Hegar, and Rizki Dewi Ayu contributed to this article.
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