Monaco, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Malta follow France in recognizing a Palestinian state—moves Israel warns will embolden Hamas and undermine true peace.
Following French President Emmanuel Macron’s dramatic announcement at the UN General Assembly that France would recognize a so-called “Palestinian state,” several European nations quickly jumped on board. Monaco, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Malta all declared their intention to recognize Palestinian statehood, adding momentum to a wave of premature recognitions sweeping across Europe.
Malta had already signaled earlier on Monday that it would join France in the declaration, while Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal made similar announcements the day before.
For Israel and its supporters, this sudden cascade of recognitions is deeply troubling. With 48 Israeli hostages still in Gaza, about 20 believed alive, and Hamas still refusing to surrender or disarm, critics say these recognitions reward terror, ignore Israeli security, and risk undermining any path toward genuine negotiations.
While European leaders claim the move supports peace, in reality it risks entrenching Hamas’ leverage, sidelining Israel’s security concerns, and inflaming divisions instead of resolving them.
The trend underscores a growing diplomatic rift: as European capitals rush to symbolism, Israel and its allies insist that peace can only come through defeating Hamas and securing real guarantees for Israel’s safety—not unilateral recognitions that embolden extremists.
