France to recognise Palestine as UK to hold 'emergency talks'

FRANCE is officially set to recognise the state of Palestine, as pressure mounts on Keir Starmer to do the same.

The Prime Minister is set to hold "emergency talks" with France, Germany and Italy on Friday over Israel's starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.

The announcement came just hours before French president Emmanuel Macron said France would officially recognise Palestine as a state in September, following months of speculation.

In a statement on Twitter/X, Macron said: "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.

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.… pic.twitter.com/VTSVGVH41I

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 24, 2025

"The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population. Peace is possible."

Macron called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and "massive humanitarian aid" for the people of Gaza, as well as the demilitarisation of Hamas and a move to secure and rebuild Gaza.

The French president added: "And finally, we must build the State of Palestine, guarantee its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the region.

"There is no alternative."

Starmer has faced mounting pressure to immediately recognise Palestine as a state, including from his own cabinet.

In his statement on Thursday evening, the Prime Minister did not appear to suggest such a move would be imminent.

While he recognised "that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people", Starmer said that it was a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas which would "put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state".

He said: "The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe.

"I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace. We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay."

Keir Starmer The Prime Minister continued: "It is hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times. But I must reiterate my call for all sides to engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages. We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this. 

"We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis."