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France has pushed back against officially recognizing a Palestinian state, citing current conditions as inadequate for such a move to have a meaningful impact.

Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne made these remarks on Wednesday, distancing France from Ireland, Spain, and Norway, which announced their intentions to recognize a Palestinian state on May 28 to boost ceasefire efforts in the Gaza conflict. Sejourne stated, “France does not consider that the conditions have yet been met for this decision to have a real impact on this process,” following discussions with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz in Paris.

 Despite pressure from various European and Arab nations, France maintains that recognition without genuine negotiations for peace between Israelis and Palestinians would not alter the situation on the ground. Sejourne emphasized, “This is not just a symbolic issue or a question of political positioning, but a diplomatic tool in the service of the solution of two states living side by side in peace and security.”

This comes as the United States holds the position that a Palestinian state should be recognized only through negotiations rather than unilateral recognition.