World leaders rally behind Palestinian statehood at UN, defying US and Israel

While the majority of European countries now recognise a Palestinian state, two of the continent's largest economies, Germany and Italy, have signalled they are unlikely to make such a move soon

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during the high-profile meeting at the United Nations. Picture: AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis

Dozens of world leaders gathered at the United Nations on Monday to embrace a Palestinian state, a landmark diplomatic shift nearly two years into the Gaza war that faces fierce resistance from Israel and its close ally the United States.

President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognise Palestinian statehood at a meeting he convened with Saudi Arabia — a milestone that could boost Palestinian morale but appeared unlikely to change much on the ground.