The leaders of Britain, France and Germany held a joint call on Friday to discuss the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza, following French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France will recognise a Palestinian state. Macron’s move has exposed differing positions among the three European countries known as the E3 on how to respond to the humanitarian situation and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, news agency Associated Press (AP) reported. While all three governments say they support a Palestinian state in principle, only France has said it will move ahead with formal recognition. Macron is expected to finalise the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September. France would then become the first G7 nation and largest European country to recognise Palestine. Germany has said it does not plan to follow suit. In a statement on Friday, the German government said recognition should be “one of the concluding steps” in peace talks and that “there are no plans to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term.” Britain has also stopped short of recognising Palestine, though Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that “statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.” He added that he would speak with Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about how to stop the violence and ensure food reaches people in need. “The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible,” Starmer said. He is under growing pressure to take stronger action, including from Labour MPs. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said earlier this week that recognition should happen “while there’s still a state of Palestine left to recognise.” More than 140 countries, including several in Europe, already recognise Palestine. But France is the first major Western power to take the step. Israel and the United States have both criticised the decision. The British government has long supported a two-state solution, with an independent Palestine existing alongside Israel. But officials say recognition should come only as part of a negotiated agreement. However, meaningful talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders have not taken place for years, even before the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 people and led to the current conflict. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has become a growing concern, even among Israel’s allies. Reports say children have died from hunger, and aid agencies have warned that food shortages are worsening. Germany, while maintaining close ties with Israel, has also begun to take a stronger line. It has called recent Israeli military actions in Gaza “unacceptable” and said it is prepared to “increase the pressure” if conditions do not improve, though it did not specify how. Britain has already taken steps, including halting some arms sales to Israel, suspending free trade talks, and sanctioning far-right Israeli ministers and settlers. But many lawmakers say more should be done. Labour MP Emily Thornberry, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, said most members of her committee support immediate recognition of a Palestinian state. “We’ve supported a two-state solution for 40 years, but it’s been drifting,” she told Times Radio. She said Macron’s move should serve as a “kickstart” to renewed talks. Prime Minister Starmer is also expected to meet US President Donald Trump in the coming days during Trump's visit to Scotland. The US has spoken out against France’s decision, and Starmer will be balancing calls for recognition with the UK’s relationship with Washington. Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, told AP that Macron’s plan to delay formal recognition until September “creates some space” for other countries to consider similar steps. “We know the UK is close, but not there,” he said. “This might create some momentum.” (With inputs from AP)
