On July 28–29, 2025, the United Nations held a conference aimed at reviving the two-state solution. Over 125 countries endorsed the “New York Declaration,” demanding Israel recognize a Palestinian state. Israel and the United States boycotted, condemning the event as a political stunt divorced from reality. In response, our policy paper Unilateral Recognition of Palestinian Statehood: A Dangerous Misstep for Europe was distributed to senior officials across Europe and the United States. It outlines the dangers of unilateral recognition without preconditions and has sparked important dialogue among policymakers. 

Soon after, French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly. The British Prime Minister issued a similar ultimatum, threatening recognition unless Israel makes major concessions. Canada also signaled openness. These moves defy diplomatic norms and break sharply from the European Union’s longstanding policy requiring unanimity in foreign policy decisions. They fracture EU cohesion and send a perilous signal to allies and adversaries alike.

Rewarding Terrorism in the Wake of Atrocity

This push comes less than two years after the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre—the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Over 1,200 Israeli civilians were brutally murdered, including children, women, and…