Luxembourg recognized Palestine on the basis of the 1967 borders
Ahmed Abu Hameeda, Unsplash
On 22 September 2025, Luxembourg officially recognised the State of Palestine. This was announced by Prime Minister Luc Frieden in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel during a high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question at the UN headquarters in New York.
The recognition of Palestine was a logical continuation of Luxembourg's long-standing position in favour of the two-state solution, which the Government believes remains the only viable path to a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
The State of Palestine is recognised on the basis of the 1967 borders, before the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2334. Luxembourg emphasises that these borders can only be changed by mutual agreement within the framework of the peace process.
The recognition of Palestine is not directed against Israel, with which Luxembourg has maintained diplomatic relations since 1949. It is a step in favour of peace and justice, not against one of the peoples.
Luxembourg recognises the Palestinian Authority as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and expects the future unified Palestinian authority to be democratic, reformed and to govern Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
At the same time, the Luxembourg Government stresses that it does not recognise Hamas and reiterates its condemnation of the 7 October 2023 terrorist attack, demanding the immediate release of all hostages. Luxembourg also called for an urgent ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian assistance for the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip.
The recognition of Palestine comes with support for a multi-phase plan agreed at an international conference in July and endorsed by the UN General Assembly (142 votes in favour, including Luxembourg). The plan calls for the establishment of a sovereign and demilitarised Palestinian state and the removal of Hamas.
Prime Minister Luc Frieden said the move should revive hope for a future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side - in peace and security.
