By Ghazaleh Vaziri, Brussels
As the Middle East conflict deepens and Gaza lies in ruins, France is attempting a bold and high-stakes diplomatic initiative. Co-hosted with Saudi Arabia, the Palestine Conference held in New York from June 17 to 20 aimed for nothing less than a breakthrough in a decades-old conflict—one that moves beyond the entrenched logic of war. President Emmanuel Macron sees the recognition of Palestine not merely as symbolic, but as a strategic lever to disrupt the current deadlock and push toward renewed negotiations.
Recognition of Palestine as a Diplomatic Lever
As French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated on X (formerly Twitter), the goal is to build a “regional security architecture for Israel” that replaces perpetual warfare with long-term stability. For Macron, forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza is unacceptable. Instead, he insists, the political track must be reopened.
At the heart of France’s initiative is a vision that draws inspiration from the 2020 Abraham Accords: the normalization of relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors, coupled with international recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron presents this as an extension of Donald Trump’s diplomatic legacy—one aimed at anchoring the peace process on firmer ground.
Élysée Dismisses Claims of Retreat on Recognition Plans
Reports suggesting that France had scaled back its plans to recognize Palestine or downgraded the UN conference were swiftly denied by the Élysée Palace. According to diplomatic sources in Paris, preparations were in full swing to generate not only a symbolic moment but a concrete political impulse—one that could potentially reinvigorate Middle East diplomacy.
French officials are under no illusions about the risks: failure could undermine France’s credibility as a broker. But Macron, whose foreign policy style is marked by calculated risk-taking, is undeterred. He already played a key role in brokering a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon—against Israeli objections and in tandem with the United States. That experience now emboldens him to seek a similar outcome in Gaza.
Abbas’ Letter: A Signal for Disarmament and Reform
A critical, yet little-publicized element of the French initiative is a letter from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed to Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In it, Abbas unequivocally condemns Hamas’ atrocities, demands the release of all hostages, and calls for Hamas’ complete disarmament. He pledges to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within a year and proposes a demilitarized Palestinian territory under the protection of an international UN-mandated stabilization force.
At the French Foreign Ministry, the letter is seen as a potential turning point. The Palestinian leadership is signaling a willingness to embrace reform and accountability—offering an alternative to Hamas that Arab states and the West might rally behind.
Reviving the Spirit of the Abraham Accords
France, in coordination with Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, seeks to revive the diplomatic momentum of the Abraham Accords. Signed in 2020 under President Trump, the accords normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states—including the UAE, Bahrain, later Morocco, and Sudan—without requiring an Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories.
Paris’s approach now is to deepen and expand those regional ties, but only in parallel with a credible roadmap for a demilitarized and internationally recognized Palestinian state. In contrast to maximalist peace proposals of the past, French diplomats view this approach as more pragmatic and potentially attainable.
According to sources in Paris, the list of possible candidates for normalization with Israel includes member states of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)—provided that measurable progress is made toward a two-state solution. In much of the Arab world, that objective is once again being viewed as a strategic imperative.
Trump: A Wild Card with Nobel Aspirations
Ironically, a potential ally in Macron’s endeavor is Donald Trump himself. The Élysée believes the former—and possibly future—U.S. president could be drawn to the Franco-Saudi peace initiative, especially given his long-standing aspiration to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Macron is in regular contact with figures close to Trump, most notably U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, a prominent real estate developer and trusted Trump confidant who reportedly views France’s Middle East and Iran policies favorably.
France and the U.S. remain united in their strategic goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons—despite persistent differences over Israel and Palestine. Still, tensions remain. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee recently lashed out at France, accusing it of pressuring Israel and abandoning the goal of a Palestinian state. In a controversial statement, he even suggested that a Muslim country—or France itself—should cede land for a Palestinian state, sarcastically proposing a slice of the Côte d’Azur.
Between Pressure and Opportunity
Despite such provocations, cautious optimism prevails in Paris. Macron hopes that, regardless of the outcome of the 2024 U.S. election, Washington will see the French-Saudi initiative as a bridge to future normalization deals. Trump himself argued during his presidency that long-term regional peace required addressing the Palestinian question.
French officials also point out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as early as 2009, expressed conditional support for a two-state solution—provided the Palestinian state remained demilitarized and recognized Israel. The Élysée now cites this precedent as a possible opening for a political recalibration.
In sum, the French initiative represents a bid for a strategic reset: one that relies on incentives, security guarantees, and regional coalitions—rather than military escalation. Whether it will succeed remains uncertain. But in a region long governed by conflict, even the attempt to chart a new course marks a shift in itself.
