Saturday, March 29, 2025
U.S. and Israel Isolated at United Nations as World Leaders Rally Behind Palestine
At the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, the United States and its ally Israel found themselves increasingly isolated as dozens of world leaders voiced support for Palestinian statehood. The meeting, convened by France and Saudi Arabia, centered entirely on the Palestinian issue and reflected the shifting global mood after two years of war in Gaza.
In a landmark announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron declared official recognition of the State of Palestine. His remarks came just a day after Britain, Canada, and Australia also recognized Palestine. Macron urged the international community to safeguard the two-state solution, saying:
“We must do everything in our power to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution so that both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security.”
The statement was met with strong applause inside the UN hall.
Other leaders addressing the gathering included Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Macron also unveiled a French initiative to establish an embassy in Palestine aimed at supporting reforms, enforcing ceasefire efforts, and securing the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
Recognition momentum is rapidly building. Small European states such as Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, and San Marino are expected to follow suit this week. On Monday, Malta and Monaco officially recognized Palestine. While these steps may not immediately change realities on the ground, analysts say they significantly boost Palestinian morale and diplomatic standing.
Notably, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was denied a U.S. visa to attend the meeting in person. Instead, he addressed world leaders via video link, thanking nations for their recognition and urging others to follow:
“We call upon all who have not yet done so to recognize Palestine and support our bid for full UN membership.”
Currently, Palestine holds observer status at the United Nations, without voting rights. Full membership requires Security Council approval, where the U.S. holds veto power. Washington has consistently blocked such moves in defense of Israel.
The wave of recognitions comes amid continued Israeli bombardment of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently insisted that no Palestinian state would be allowed to exist, rejecting international pressure. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced strong support for Israel, even urging Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reconsider London’s decision to recognize Palestine during his recent UK visit.
This growing divide highlights a major diplomatic shift: while global support for Palestinian statehood expands, the U.S. and Israel are becoming increasingly isolated on the world stage.
