Luxembourg and 14 other Western nations called on countries worldwide to move to recognise a Palestinian state.

The foreign ministers of 15 countries late Tuesday issued a joint statement following a conference in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at reviving a two-state solution between Israelis and the Palestinians.

"In New York, together with 14 other countries, France is issuing a collective appeal: we express our desire to recognise the State of Palestine and invite those who have not yet done so to join us," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on X.

President Emmanuel Macron announced last week he would formally recognise Palestinian statehood in September, provoking strong opposition from Israel and the United States.

France is hoping to build a momentum around the formal recognition of a Palestinian state.

On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes various "substantive steps", including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza.

Starmer's move, paired with Paris, would make the two European allies the first G7 nations to do so.

In the statement, 15 nations including Luxembourg, Spain, Norway, and Finland affirmed their "unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution".

Nine of the signatories which have not yet recognised the Palestinian state expressed "the willingness or the positive consideration of their countries" to do so, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Seventeen countries plus the European Union and Arab League during the conference joined calls for Hamas to disarm and end its rule of Gaza, in a bid to end the devastating war in the Palestinian territory.

Bettel's address

During a plenary session address, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel underscored the importance of sustained international attention on the situation in Palestine. He voiced profound dismay at the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing conditions of famine and extreme misery under ongoing Israeli attacks. He also stressed the urgent need for the release of hostages and reiterated that violence against civilians must cease.

Bettel reaffirmed that a lasting political resolution, grounded in the two-state solution, remains the only viable path to a just and enduring peace – and the sole framework capable of ensuring lasting security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

He welcomed recent efforts and commitments by the Palestinian Authority, describing them as encouraging and conducive to creating the necessary conditions for Luxembourg to recognise the State of Palestine.

The minister also endorsed the “New York Call”, a declaration in which several states express their willingness to formally recognise Palestinian statehood.

He concluded by stating that “the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is currently positively inclined to take this step and to recognise the State of Palestine in September”.