The French president, expressing a moral obligation to address suffering in Gaza, made clear he had lost patience with the United States and Israel. The question is what effect he will have.

The announcement came soon after the U.S. cut short Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, saying Hamas wasn't showing good faith.

Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s foreign minister, will formally present his country’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the rescheduled French-Saudi conference in New York on July 28th. Meanwhile, the war in Gaza continues unabated. ■