Article written by Jérome Chapuisat and Hussam Al Mallak. The war led by Israel and its allies deepens regional instability and revives the debate on Israel’s role in the Middle East.

The announced recognition of the State of Palestine by France in September 2025 marks a major diplomatic turning point, at the intersection of international law and geopolitical balances. It responds to an unprecedented collective initiative and could revive the debate on the two-state solution, weakened by the war in Gaza and the expansion of Israeli settlements. Legally, Palestine partially meets the criteria of statehood but remains weakened by its internal divisions. International reactions are divided: categorical rejection by Israel and the United States, but enthusiastic support from the Palestinian side as well as several European and Arab countries. Between symbolic significance and strategic uncertainty, this French decision could reshape diplomatic dynamics without guaranteeing concrete progress on the ground.