Washington Urges UK, France Not to Endorse Palestinian Statehood

Tensions are rising ahead of a major UN conference as the United States has warned both the United Kingdom and France against unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian state. The high-stakes meeting, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, is set for June 17 in New York and could trigger a dramatic shift in Middle East diplomacy.

According to diplomatic sources, France is poised to announce recognition of Palestinian statehood and is pressuring the UK to follow suit. If they proceed, Paris and London would be the first G7 nations to take this unprecedented step, marking a sharp departure from decades of Western alignment with Israel’s security priorities.

The move has alarmed Washington, which sees unilateral recognition outside the framework of direct negotiations as destabilizing. French officials reportedly believe they have secured UK agreement, though UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has publicly rejected unilateral recognition, affirming that Britain would act only when it supports a negotiated and viable two-state outcome.

Still, political pressure is mounting in London. Labour Party MP Uma Kumaran noted that recognition of Palestine was part of the party’s electoral platform, positioning it as a step toward a “just and lasting peace.” Meanwhile, pro-Arab voices in the UK have argued that the US should not dictate sovereign decisions on recognition.

In Israel, concerns are growing over what such a shift might mean. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer has warned that unilateral recognition could prompt Israel to annex parts of Judea and Samaria (West Bank). Such an escalation would risk igniting tensions both within the region and among Western allies.

The stakes are high. France and the UK carry deep historical influence in the region, and any departure from long-standing diplomatic positions could reverberate globally. For Israel, which has long depended on the support of its Western allies to oppose international pressure, such moves represent not just a political challenge but a moral affront to decades of efforts to ensure its security and legitimacy.

Israel continues to stand firm: peace must be built through direct negotiation, not imposed by international forums. Share this story to stay informed on critical developments in global diplomacy, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates from Israel and the world.