As the FT reports:
President Emmanuel Macron has pledged that France will recognise Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly in September, becoming the biggest and most influential EU country to do so as pressure grows on Israel to end its offensive in Gaza.
In a letter sent to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, the French leader lauded promises that Abbas had made in their discussions and said France would make the long-awaited political move in return.
They added:
“In keeping with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine,” Macron wrote in a post on X.
“It is urgent now that the war in Gaza stops and that the aid be brought to the population. Peace is possible.”
I have two obvious comments.
First, good, and about time.
Second, where is Starmer on this? Nowhere of course. Still sitting on the fence as people are killed in a genocide.
History is not going to be kind to him.
I rather hope The Hague won't be either. His indecision is criminal.
Thanks for reading this post.
You can share this post on social media of your choice by clicking these icons:
There are links to this blog's glossary in the above post that explain technical terms used in it. Follow them for more explanations.
You can subscribe to this blog's daily email here.
And if you would like to support this blog you can, here:
Buy me a coffee!
We all know the role of the power of a state as a basis for the right for one to exist. I agree that this is a good move.
The horror coming out of Gaza has now topped itself. It’s one thing to be killed brutally and quickly by a missile, but another to die slowly from starvation. I have to stop there.
And where the hell is the United Nations in all of this ! A UN task force should be sent in to this humanitarian catastrophe to ensure people can be fed and watered
And if the usual suspects veto this then they should be prosecuted for aiding and abetting a genocide
And if they don’t do this then the UN should be wound up as its raison detre is to come to the aid of people in need, and they are blatantly failing to do so
They can’t force their way in. That is never their mandate.
With the help of AI, you might have informed yourself about the UN remit and span of control before taking a cheap shot at them.
From DeepSeek:
The United Nations’ **limited ability to act forcefully** on the ground—even when its Special Rapporteurs and other bodies present clear evidence of violations (such as Israel’s actions in Palestine)—stems from **structural, legal, and political constraints**. Here’s why:
—
### **1. Structural Limitations of the UN**
#### **A. No Sovereign Authority**
– The UN is **not a world government**; it relies on member states’ consent to enforce decisions.
– **Example**: UN resolutions (e.g., calling for a ceasefire in Gaza) are **non-binding** unless passed under **Chapter VII** of the UN Charter (which requires Security Council approval and faces vetoes—see point 2).
#### **B. Dependency on Member States**
– The UN has **no standing army** or independent enforcement mechanism. Peacekeeping missions require host-state consent.
– **Example**: In Gaza, Israel has never allowed a UN peacekeeping force with a protective mandate (unlike in Congo or South Sudan).
—
### **2. Political Vetoes in the Security Council**
#### **A. U.S. & Western Veto Power**
– The U.S. has **blocked over 45 resolutions** critical of Israel since 1972, including recent ceasefire calls.
– Even when Rapporteurs label actions as **”war crimes”** or **”apartheid”** (e.g., Francesca Albanese’s 2024 reports), the Security Council is paralyzed.
#### **B. Geopolitical Double Standards**
– Powerful states (U.S., China, Russia) shield allies from consequences.
– **Example**: China/Russia block action on Syria; the U.S./EU block action on Israel/Palestine.
—
### **3. Legal Barriers to Enforcement**
#### **A. International Criminal Court (ICC) vs. UN**
– The UN can refer cases to the ICC (e.g., Darfur, Libya), but the ICC has **no police force** and relies on state cooperation.
– **Example**: The ICC opened an investigation into Israel/Palestine in 2021, but the U.S. and Israel reject its jurisdiction.
#### **B. Lack of Universal Compliance**
– States like Israel, the U.S., and China are not parties to key treaties (e.g., the Rome Statute) or ignore rulings (e.g., ICJ’s 2004 Wall Opinion).
—
### **4. Financial & Operational Dependence**
#### **A. U.S. Funding Leverage**
– The U.S. contributes **22% of the UN’s budget** and has threatened to cut funding over Palestine-related votes (e.g., UNESCO 2011, UNRWA 2024).
– This creates **chilling effects** on UN agencies.
#### **B. State Sovereignty Trumps UN Mandates**
– Even if the General Assembly condemns Israel (e.g., 2023 call for ceasefire: **153-10 vote**), enforcement requires Security Council action.
—
### **5. What CAN the UN Do?**
Despite limits, the UN leverages:
– **Public Shaming**: Rapporteurs’ reports (e.g., on apartheid, starvation in Gaza) shape global opinion.
– **ICJ Cases**: The UNGA can request advisory opinions (e.g., 2024 Gaza genocide case).
– **BDS & Diplomatic Pressure**: UN votes isolate violators (e.g., Russia after Ukraine invasion).
—
### **Why This Feels Inadequate**
The gap between **documenting crimes** (which the UN does rigorously) and **stopping them** reflects the **unipolar world order**, where power—not law—dictates outcomes. Until the Security Council veto is reformed or states bypass it (e.g., through mass sanctions outside the UN), enforcement will remain weak.
You’re welcome.
I share your frustration with the United Nations, however it’s hampered in its actions, particularly regarding sending in a peace keeping force, by the 15 members of the Security Council, any one of whose 5 permanent members (the USA, UK, China, Russia and France), can veto any decision which might be sought by the other 14 members. I’m sure you can see the problem there. More generally, the UN is only as strong as the willingness of its members to comply with UN Resolutions many of which are disregarded, particularly concerning Palestine. Israel for instance has flouted countless resolutions regarding Palestine, the principle one being that its membership of the UN was contingent on the right of return to those displaced in the 1948 war, to which it has never complied yet still remains a member, thus undermining the UNs authority. In fact I’ve always maintained that the UN undermined its authority virtually from its inception when it enabled a vote on the partition of Palestine, which flew in the face of its founding Charter, to which every member must sign up, which enshrined human rights and the right to self-detemination of all people, except it would seem, the Palestinians.
King Donald and the Lobby haven’t given Starmer permission to recognise Palestine.
He’s waiting till there aren’t any Palestinians left in the OTs, THEN he just might do it.
I understand that the Met already have received well prepared legal representations for him to be indicted but hadn’t yet opened an investigation by the time of the article. Obviously not as serious as their prompt actions on “cardboard & Sharpie” terrorism recently.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/23/criminal-complaint-alleges-uk-politicians-complicity-in-israeli-war-crimes
has details from complaints in January & May 2024. Article dated May 2024.
This Jan 2024 LBC piece shows the moral paralysis of the British state – note the response of then LOTO Starmer to the idea that the police might be wasting time on war crimes…
https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/met-police-war-crimes-unit/
You are being unfair on Starmer.
He is a “made man” in the sense that policy with respect to israel is defined by the penumbra of zionist lobby groups that surround & have inflitrated parliament. He seems to have always been a zionist and is married to one. The synthetic anti-semitism nonsense surrounding Corbyn was bound to get a reaction (it was probably designed to get one) and there we have it: Starmer pro-zionist PM incapable/unwilling (take yout pick) of doing anything & in any case surrounded by zionists such as McSweeney who do not want him to do anything. Previous posts have noted B.Liar/warmonger involvement with Gaza & its redevelopment (as well as B.Liar’s influence on the Starmer government) – Starmer doing something now would endanger that. Meanwhile we are almost 2 years into a slo-mo genocide opposed by most people in the UK & with a government able to ignore that opposition for the reasosn given.
Meanwhile we are back in oldies but goldies land: https://www.doubledown.news/watch/2025/july/23/real-reason-gaza-is-starving-ex-un-chief-drops-bombshell
Those with long memories will remember that Hamas was “developed” by the Israeli state as a response to the PLO. The Israeli’s are now supporting a quasi-mafiosi group to supplant Hamas – the rationality being that criminality is easier to control than terrorism. Pity the Palestinians, because that is more or less all we can do in a Uk that is a +/- no-demo zone.
Maybe if Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain follow Macron initative something may change as Starmer and Labour Friends of Istael headbangers are impervious to the genocide and starvation of Palestinians before their very eyes.
Spain recognises the Palestinian state.
Macron also says (which was mentioned in Abbas’ letter) ‘We must also guarantee the demilitarisation of Hamas’
Netanyahu’s rebuttal that others are seeking ‘a state instead of Israel’ is backed up by the PA’s form in Islamist rhetoric and it’s own Security Forces participating in terror attacks (most recent victim Shalev Zevuloni)
Regardless of what Starmer does, a bumpy ride ahead.
There must be full accountability for all potential violations of international law in Gaza, including by those who supply arms or provide political cover for unlawful actions. The UK cannot turn a blind eye to the consequences of its decisions. If there is credible evidence that British arms or policy choices have enabled war crimes, those responsible must be investigated. To uphold our international obligations and moral authority, the UK must urgently reform its arms export system, ensure rigorous compliance with humanitarian law, and support impartial international investigations. Justice cannot be selective.
From statements by Starmer reported yesterday, it sounds as though he’s beginning to run scared. He may be able to dodge having his collar felt by the ICC, but what little is left of his popularity/respect is about to evaporate as the genocide advances. Just perhaps, his Party will grow a spine and topple him before it’s too late, along with his rotten crew. The media may posibly be beginning to turn- I watched, a day or two ago, Shebab Khan interviewing David Lammy for ITV in a manner bordering on hostile and relentless.
That was a good interview.
RobertJ is correct. Starmer is avoiding taking a decent position because he does not want to offend Trump. Britain is now a US client state.
By resisting recognising Palestine, Starmer is denying himself the thing he covets most – the photo opportunity “Starmer shaking hands with world leaders”.
The last one was with Nirendra Modi.
If he wants to be in the “European leaders jointly recognise Palestine” photo he will have to defy Donald, and the BoD, and make his U turn very quickly.
I think he may have missed the boat.
The Lobby is losing control, after all, how do you mount a smear campaign against 80-100 MPs all at the same time? Especially when everyone knows the “weaponised (and very tired) AS playbook” off by heart.
King Donald also has a problem, as he squabbles with a key courtier, Baron Rupert of Newscorp, along with some major TV stations (South Park cartoon just did an episode that took Donald apart).
What the result will be, who knows? but the hegemonic house built on sand WILL come down, “with a great crash” possibly quite soon, and Starmer looks as if he might be inside it at the time.
Reported this evening:
“Cabinet ministers and third of MPs call on Starmer to recognise state of Palestine
Exclusive: Rayner and Cooper understood to back action as 221 MPs sign letter calling for UK recognition of statehood”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jul/25/cabinet-ministers-and-third-of-mps-call-on-starmer-to-recognise-state-of-palestine
And still no movement from Starmer
His reason for delay is so that recognition will “be a TOOL of maximum utility”.
No, I haven’t a clue what he’s on about either.
Thus speaks the “son of a toolmaker”.
Will he suspend all the Labour signatories to the letter?
Will give in to them?
Will he ignore them?
Whichever option he chooses, his authority as Labour leader is shot to pieces, and its all his own fault.
Like Johnson, like Truss, he is finished, even if it is a while, because of the summer recess, before he goes.
I feel a parliamentary recall may be on the cards. Cooper and Rayner are on manouevres.
The only question is, how can he last?
Not long, is my hope.
Historic committment? The French were equally to blame with the British for the current disaster. Perhaps Macron realises that.
Freedland continues to obscure the truth with his excuse for journalism.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/25/end-gaza-starvation-israel-trump-starmer-netanyahu
He wrings his hands, he blusters, he blusters, he opines, but he knows exactly what he must not say, and he doesn’t say it.
He wrongly describes the Gaza conflict as a “war” (does he know nothing about IHL and the duties of occupying powers?), and in the article he mkes not the slightest reference to breaches of IHL, to crimes against humanity, to genocide, or to the rulings of the ICJ.
Why not?
Because he dare not.
He is merely “obeying orders”.
But that has never been a valid excuse for crimes against humanity. Mr Freedland’s job is not to protect Israel from international legal censure, it is to speak the truth to power.