Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
France and Saudi Arabia brought together world leaders in New York on Monday for a summit where several nations formally recognized a Palestinian state. The move, although symbolic, has increased Israel’s diplomatic isolation and triggered a sharp reaction from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
On Sunday, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal declared recognition of Palestine. French President Emmanuel Macron said France would also take that step during the United Nations General Assembly. Supporters of the decision described it as a way to revive the two-state solution, which many around the world still see as the only possible path to resolving the decades-long conflict.
Israel and the United States refused to attend the meeting, dismissing it as political theater. Netanyahu was firm in rejecting the idea of Palestinian statehood, declaring, “There will be no Palestinian state.” He said he would hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington before deciding on Israel’s next steps. Meanwhile, far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition called for annexing parts of the occupied West Bank, something that could risk Israel’s fragile relations with Arab countries that normalized ties under the 2020 Abraham Accords.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations mocked the summit, calling it a “circus.” U.S. officials also opposed the move, arguing that unilateral recognition of Palestine would reward Hamas and harm ongoing efforts to reach a cease-fire. France and Saudi Arabia countered that while the decision was symbolic, it was also necessary to keep the possibility of two states alive before the conflict closed the door on it completely.
The push for recognition comes during some of the most devastating days of the war in Gaza. Israeli forces have intensified their operations in Gaza City, saying the goal is to dismantle Hamas. Palestinian health officials claim more than 65,000 people have been killed since the war began in 2023, while Israel insists its campaign will continue until Hamas is defeated.
Alongside the summit, France and Saudi Arabia presented a roadmap that called for ending the war, releasing hostages, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories, and the creation of a demilitarized Palestinian state led by a reformed Palestinian Authority, supported by the international community. However, the plan avoided addressing some of the most sensitive disputes, including the final borders, Israeli settlements, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and the status of Jerusalem.
Not all countries were ready to join in recognizing Palestine. Germany and Italy held back, insisting recognition should only follow direct peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. The United Arab Emirates, one of the countries that normalized ties with Israel five years ago, issued a warning t
hat any annexation of West Bank land would cross a “red line” and risk undoing years of delicate diplomacy.
For Palestinians living through daily bombardment, the recognition announcements brought little comfort. “Even if these countries recognize Palestine, it won’t force Israel to grant us our rights,” said Nabeel Jaber, a displaced resident of Gaza. On the other side, in Tel Aviv, Israelis also voiced doubt. One student argued that Palestinians had turned down peace offers in the past, questioning whether recognition would make any real difference now.
The summit underscored how divided the international community remains on the issue. For some nations, recognition was a symbolic act of solidarity with Palestinians and a push to keep peace efforts alive. For Israel and its allies, it was seen as an empty gesture that risks emboldening militants while doing little to resolve the bloodshed. As the war grinds on and the death toll continues to rise, the gap between symbolism and reality has rarely felt so wide.