It’s essential to understand why this diplomatic victory is so significant for Israel

WHO’S LAUGHING NOW? Entente Cordiale allies Starmer and Macron have had to tone down their Israel-bashing (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/FREDERIC LEGRAND - COMEO)

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srael frequently faces criticism from its most ardent supporters for its ongoing hasbarah failures, even though explaining Israel’s perspective to a conspicuously hostile media and their misinformed audiences is a steep uphill climb.

As a result, Israel often receives little recognition for its numerous hard-won diplomatic achievements — some of which are overt, while others are more subtle.

Reports indicate that French president Emmanuel Macron and his counterparts in the UK, Canada, and Saudi Arabia will ease their demand for the UN to formally recognize a Palestinian state at next week’s long-awaited special UN conference. Instead, they will accept a declaration of principles aimed at achieving a two-state solution, marking a diplomatic victory for Israel and a diplomatic setback for Macron, who has publicly disagreed with Israel regarding his plan.

Israeli media outlets have reported extensively on statements from Asharq Al-Awsat (“The Middle East”), a London-based Arabic media outlet, suggesting that Macron’s sharp shift also included demands for the Palestinian side to disarm Hamas and to politically reform the Palestinian Authority as preconditions for recognizing a Palestinian state.

None of this could have happened without a multifaceted effort involving proactive Israeli diplomacy, vocal support from the US, and, yes — even some clever use of well-timed and well-placed hasbarah.

Before reviewing the developments and connecting the dots, it’s essential to understand why this diplomatic victory is so significant for Israel.

Macron first announced his initiative last December during a visit to Saudi Arabia. Following that visit, the Saudis agreed to co-chair the UN conference with France, with the aim of “advancing the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question and implementing the two-state solution.”

Currently, around 147 of the 193 UN member nations accord Palestine the status of a “non-member observer state.” This status enables the Palestinian Authority to participate in General Assembly sessions without the right to vote. To date, none of the G7 nations (the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Japan, and Italy) have granted the PA this recognition.

The leap to full statehood would be much more complicated, which is why the US and its G7 colleagues have always maintained that it can only occur through a negotiated settlement with Israel.

If two permanent members of the UN Security Council, such as France and the UK, were to recognize a Palestinian state without negotiations with Israel, it could snowball. There were also fears expressed in Israel that the Trump administration would not fully back Israel on this, or that it would extract concessions from the Netanyahu government to advocate for Israel at the UN.

These fears appear to be unfounded.

Brothers in Arms

The US pushed back, initially vetoing a one-sided UN resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza without condemning Hamas or calling for the release of all hostages. John Kelley, a member of the US Mission to the UN, asserted that the US “stands with Israel in unequivocally rejecting any effort to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state or impose conditions on Israel.”

Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, had his say, too: “If France is really so determined to see a Palestinian state, I’ve got a suggestion for them: Carve out a piece of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state.”

In the meantime, Israeli diplomats put on their combat gear. Following numerous public disputes on X between Israeli and French officials, Israel invited two senior French diplomats to meet with Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and other top Israeli officials at President Herzog’s residence in Jerusalem, with the French diplomats reassuring Israel that they would not force a Palestinian state down their throats. At the same time, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar played a road game in Berlin. He met with Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who promised Germany would continue to supply Israel with arms despite growing calls for an international arms embargo.

Arms deals are a two-way street. Last Wednesday, Israel’s Ministry of Defense issued a well-timed news release on 2024 arms exports, revealing that Israel exported a record $14.8 billion in arms sales, with 54% of that going to Europe.

Israel’s business journal Globes may have overstated its claim that Europe is becoming dependent on Israeli arms. However, the Trump administration is increasing its pressure on Europe to contribute its fair share to defense. Europeans may criticize Israel over its war aims, but that doesn’t make them any less eager to purchase battle-proven Israeli weapons systems, particularly missiles, rockets, and air defense systems.

Sticking to Its Guns

In late May, Israel quietly turned away four Arab foreign ministers, including Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who were attempting to meet with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. Some viewed this as a missed opportunity for Israel to demonstrate goodwill toward the Saudis by allowing their foreign minister to cross Israeli territory, but Israel didn’t take the bait, forcing the diplomats to meet in Jordan instead. While Prince Faisal criticized Israel’s decision as “extremism and rejection of peace,” Israel gained grudging respect by standing firm.

Israel is certainly not in the clear. A great deal of vitriol will be directed at Israel as the subtitle of next week’s UN conference, “Advancing the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question,” remains unchanged. It’s a loaded and one-sided slogan. There would be more grounds for optimism if the UN held a conference on “ending more than a century of Arab rejectionism to a Jewish presence in the Middle East.”

Israel is hoping for a slightly kinder and gentler UN Security Council, beginning in January 2026, when five new non-permanent members take their seats. Guyana and Slovenia, both known for their knee-jerk anti-Israeli positions, are out, while Liberia and Latvia are in. Liberia recognizes Palestine but has no direct diplomatic relations with the PA, while Latvia at least abstained in a recent EU vote to reassess European trade ties with Israel in light of what it describes as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

Although hoping for a significant transformation at the UN may seem unrealistic, simply lowering the level of hostility by a notch is a positive step.

Israel’s recent foreign policy actions have demonstrated success, and this should instill confidence for it to maintain its course and stay firm in protecting its interests.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1065)