Macron Urges UK-France Unity on Palestinian Statehood: “Only Path to Peace”

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on France and the United Kingdom to jointly recognize Palestinian statehood, declaring it “the only path to peace” in the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Speaking alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a joint press conference in London, Macron underscored the urgency of reviving momentum toward a two-state solution.

“I believe in the future of the two-state solution, and in the need to unify our voices — in Paris, London, and beyond — to recognize the State of Palestine and launch a political dynamic that alone can lead to a horizon of peace,” Macron said.

Starmer echoed the importance of a political resolution, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to a just settlement for Palestinians and emphasizing the need for international support and regional stability.

The remarks came at the conclusion of Macron’s three-day state visit to the UK — the first by a French head of state since 2008 and the first by an EU leader since Brexit.

Macron had already signaled his support during a speech to the British Parliament on Wednesday, drawing praise from the Palestinian Authority, which welcomed France’s position as a potential step toward lasting peace in the region.

A planned international conference on Palestinian statehood, co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, was recently postponed due to the outbreak of war between Iran and Israel on June 13.

Pressure is also mounting on the UK government domestically, as several Labour MPs have urged Starmer to follow France’s lead and formally recognize a Palestinian state.