On July 25 2025 news stories appeared stating French President Emmanuel Macron would recognize a Palestinian State. Israel and the US GOP claim this is rewarding terrorism (AP). France claims they will recognize a Palestinian State in September. France has a large Muslim population

These news stories leave out an important piece of information. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and France have called for Hamas to lay down arms and surrender to the Palestinian Authority. In return they promise to officially recognize a Palestinian state.

The promulgators of the declaration were the Arab League and PA President Mahmoud Abbas. It’s great motivation to get Hamas to end the war in Gaza. The agreement is called the New York Declaration of 2025 Gulf Times . This is a forward thinking agreement. It condemns the Hamas attacks of Oct 7 2023 and encourages Israel to join in the recognition of Palestinian statehood. The New York declaration renews support for two-state solution and full UN membership for a Palestinian State.

US news networks have, for the most part, ignored the agreement associated with the French statement; specifically the part that says Hamas must surrender to the Palestinian Authority and return the hostages.

Scroll forward to this week, 23 September 2025, up steps Europe. France, the UK, Australia, Canada, Portugal, France, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and Monaco all recognized a Palestinian State.

What happened to the part about encouraging Hamas to surrender the hostages? It’s gone. Let’s face it, these countries could wait until there is an end to hostilities to recognize a Palestinian State. Recognizing a Palestinian State now removes the incentive for Hamas to surrender. The Euros hijacked the Arab League plan and trashed the original intent; to encourage Hamas to lay down arms and surrender the hostages. To make things more interesting, the US decided Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas wouldn’t be allowed in the country to attend the UN Assembly.

US blocks Palestinian leader from attending UN meeting in New York BBC

Recently it was reported that President Abbas will be addressing the UN by video conference instead.

• Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt join calls for Hamas to disarm and exit Gaza to end war with Israel New York Post
• New York declaration renews support for two-state solution and full UN membership for Palestine Gulf Times
• Türkiye, EU, Arab League, 16 countries endorse ‘New York Declaration’ supporting 2-state solution Anadolu Ajansi
• For first time, Arab countries decry Hamas attack on Oct. 7 in ‘New York Declaration’ Jewish News Syndicate
• Middle East: Which countries recognize the State of Palestine and what this means in international law OEMA
• The Solution No One is Talking About 4dforum
• These are the remaining 20 (of 50) Israeli hostages presumed to be alive in Gaza Jewish Telegraph Agency
• Meanwhile, Hamas is Killing Civilians Who Seek Food Council on Foreign Relations
• Palestinian Authority Reports Hamas Killings at Aid Sites 4dforum