Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s foreign minister, will formally present his country’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the rescheduled French-Saudi conference in New York on July 28th. Meanwhile, the war in Gaza continues unabated. ■

Observers point out that by recognising Palestine, French President Emmanuel Macron hopes to pressure his European allies, including the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy, to take a stance and revive the long-defunct two-state solution.

When Macron visited the Egyptian town of Al-Arish on the border with Gaza in April, he was struck by the mounting humanitarian crisis and made clear on his return home that Paris would soon opt for recognition.