In a dramatic turn from the rheotric last week that could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, Saudi outlet Asharq reports that France, the United Kingdom, and Canada have issued a sweeping list of demands for any future recognition of a Palestinian state—effectively putting both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas on notice. According to regional and Western sources, these demands include deep-rooted political reforms in the West Bank and the full demilitarization of Gaza, in what analysts are calling an ultimatum for international legitimacy.

At the core of the conditions:

• A revitalized Palestinian parliament,

• Transparent, democratic elections, and

• A clear, enforceable pledge for peaceful transfers of power.

In Gaza, the demands are even more seismic: Hamas must relinquish control, disarm its terror infrastructure, and submit to an elected civilian government.

These developments come just as tensions peak ahead of a June 17 UN conference in New York, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, which will focus on the so-called “two-state solution.” According to reports from the anti-Israel propaganda outlet Middle East Eye, the United States has warned Paris and London in no uncertain terms: unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state would trigger serious diplomatic consequences.

Last week, Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas told Middle East Eye that France's push to recognise Palestine was "serious and has the backing of most of the European Union and Saudi Arabia”.

However, both the UK and France have faced pressure from the US over the plans, while Israel…

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 7, 2025

France Presses Forward, UK Wavers, US Warns

While the US calls for restraint, France appears poised to charge ahead. Sources in the French Foreign Ministry revealed last week that Paris was actively preparing to recognize a Palestinian state unilaterally, and was pressuring London to follow suit. Leaked documents suggest that British officials were initially hesitant, but French media claimed an informal agreement may already be in place between the two historic allies—both permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, are said to be quietly fueling the initiative behind the scenes, measuring the success of the conference by the number of recognitions secured. If France and the UK were to proceed, they would become the first G7 nations to recognize Palestine, breaking decades of Western consensus and potentially triggering a diplomatic earthquake that would reverberate across Jerusalem, Washington, and Brussels.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer issued a blunt warning last week, telling Haaretz that Israel would annex parts of Judea and Samaria in retaliation. The Israeli government sees this as a direct violation of previous accords and a move that would reward terrorism rather than peace.

The Western Divide and Roth’s Hypocrisy

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot attempted to walk back the implications, claiming the decision would be largely “symbolic,” but acknowledged that France has a “particular responsibility” not to act without broader international support.

Meanwhile, perennial anti-Israel activist Kenneth Roth, formerly of Human Rights Watch, blasted the proposed conditions as a ploy to indefinitely delay Palestinian statehood. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Roth claimed the West was enabling Israel to “obstruct a state”—a charge that conveniently ignores decades of Palestinian rejectionism and terrorism.

Britain, France and other Western states will not recognize Palestine at a Saudi meeting but focus on agreeing to steps towards it. But those steps should not be an endless (nonexistent) "peace process" but pressure on Israel to stop obstructing a state. https://t.co/x0YQGWkHEr

— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) June 7, 2025

In fact, Israel has offered a state on multiple occasions, most notably at Camp David in 2000 when then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak agreed to nearly 96% of Palestinian demands—an offer that was flatly rejected by Yasser Arafat, to the dismay of then-President Bill Clinton, who later blamed Arafat for sabotaging peace.

Europe Fractures, Israel Builds

While 147 countries—primarily Muslim-majority and autocratic regimes—have already recognized a Palestinian state, Europe has long held the line, insisting that any such move be mutual, negotiated, and anchored in Israel’s security interests. That consensus has been eroding. In 2024, Ireland, Spain, and Norway broke ranks, issuing their own recognitions in what many saw as an act of political theater designed to pressure Israel rather than foster peace. Now, France and the UK appear next in line.

But Israel is not standing idle. Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to establish 22 new communities in Judea and Samaria, calling the move “a strategic necessity” to block the creation of a hostile Palestinian state on its doorstep.

In July 2024, the Knesset voted overwhelmingly to reject the establishment of a Palestinian state, with only Arab-Israeli MKs and one far-left Jewish lawmaker dissenting.

Conclusion: Recognition Without Reform Is Delusion

As the June 17 UN conference approaches, Western leaders must confront a stark reality: statehood cannot be gifted to a fractured, violent, and unelected Palestinian leadership. Recognition without reform is not diplomacy—it’s delusion. And Israel, backed by decades of failed negotiations and rising security threats, is signaling loud and clear: it will not be coerced into self-destruction.