Luxembourg Plans Recognize Palestine State at UN General Assembly

Luxembourg has announced its intention to recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly, joining a growing list of Western countries including France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel conveyed this decision to a parliamentary committee, indicating that formal recognition is nearly certain and will occur during an international conference on the two-state solution in New York. The move marks a significant shift from Luxembourg’s previous stance, which conditioned recognition on Palestinian reforms and peace negotiations. This decision is amid escalating calls from European leaders to end the war in Gaza and comes despite warnings from the U.S. about potential sanctions and violations of the Oslo Accords. Some coalition members in Luxembourg expressed reservations, but officials emphasized their commitment to humanitarian concerns over political pressure. The announcement follows the UN General Assembly’s endorsement of steps toward a two-state solution and increased European scrutiny of Israel's actions in Gaza.