Frustration Drove Macron To Go It Alone On Palestine Recognition

French Leader Failed In Bid To Get Allies, Including Britain, To Go Along With Plan

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PARIS - President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France would become the first Western member of the UN Security Council to recognise a Palestinian state in September has caused diplomatic ructions from the Middle East through Europe to Washington.

But it did not come out of the blue.

When Mr 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.

Working with Saudi Arabia, Mr Macron came up with a plan to have France plus Group of Seven allies Britain and Canada recognise Palestinian statehood, while pushing Arab states to adopt a softer stance towards Israel through a UN conference. But despite weeks of talks, he failed to get others on board.

Three diplomats said London did not want to face the wrath of the US, and Ottawa took a similar stance, leaving Mr Macron to go it alone.

"It became increasingly apparent that we could not wait to get partners on board," said a French diplomat, adding that France will work to get more states on board ahead of the conference on a two-state solution in September.