For the first time, Arab countries will formally condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament at a United Nations ministerial event in New York next week. According to France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, this move is part of a coordinated effort to encourage more European nations to recognize Palestinian statehood. In an exclusive interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, Barrot revealed that the initiative was long planned between France and Saudi Arabia. He stated that the condemnation would isolate Hamas while European countries signal their readiness to recognize Palestine.
Barrot noted that half of European nations have already recognized Palestine, with others considering the step. He highlighted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s expressed intention to do so, while Germany may follow at a later stage. The French minister also announced plans for a broader appeal at the UN to rally more countries ahead of a major push on September 21. This comes after French President Emmanuel Macron declared France’s formal recognition of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly, a decision that has drawn criticism from the U.S. and Israel.
However, not all European leaders support immediate recognition. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it “counterproductive” to recognize Palestine before its official establishment, while a German government spokesperson said Berlin has no short-term plans to do so. Meanwhile, France and Saudi Arabia will present a post-war roadmap at the UN event, outlining security, governance, and reconstruction plans aligned with a two-state solution. Barrot emphasized that this proposal would be compatible with the Abraham Accords brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In the coming weeks, the European Commission is expected to take a firmer stance against Israel, demanding an end to new West Bank settlements and militarized policing of aid distribution. Barrot also urged European nations to push for lifting the financial blockade on the Palestinian Authority, enabling it to access €2 billion in owed funds. The diplomatic moves signal growing international pressure to advance Palestinian statehood while addressing regional security concerns.