LUXEMBOURG/BRUSSELS (Dispatches) – Luxembourg is preparing to formally recognize the State of Palestine, joining a growing number of European countries breaking with long-standing diplomatic caution in response to Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, which has killed more than 64,900 Palestinians since October 2023.
Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel informed parliament that the move will be made in coordination with France, Belgium, and other European nations. The formal recognition is expected to be announced during the United Nations General Assembly session later this month in New York.
France has already confirmed its decision. President Emmanuel Macron said, “True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the region, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.” He called for an immediate end to the war and emphasized the need to ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians.
Belgium and the United Kingdom are also expected to announce recognition by the end of September, marking a significant policy shift amid growing international condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The recognition efforts follow mounting criticism from EU leaders over Israel’s brutal war, widely described by rights groups as a campaign of collective punishment and war crimes. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to impose sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers, and to suspend parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement over human rights violations.
Diplomats say the recent Israeli approval of the controversial E1 settlement plan — which would divide the occupied West Bank — further undermines the viability of a two-state solution and has triggered outrage across European capitals.
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has taken one of the continent’s most assertive stances. Madrid has cancelled nearly €1 billion in arms contracts with Israeli firms and banned military cooperation. Sanchez has called for Israel to be barred from international sporting events and announced an entry ban on Israeli officials linked to alleged war crimes in Gaza.
As of April, 147 countries — representing about 75% of UN member states — had recognized Palestine. European momentum is now building in support of Palestinian statehood, amid what many leaders describe as Israel’s deepening international isolation over its Gaza offensive.