Emmanuel Macron is urging Sir Keir Starmer to acknowledge Palestine's statehood.
Ahead of the French President's three-day state visit to the UK next week, it is understood Downing Street and the Elysée Palace disagree on the pace and method of recognition.
Whilst the visit will feature major announcements, including a migrant returns agreement and civil nuclear cooperation, the Palestinian recognition issue is set to dominate private discussions between the two leaders.
Both nations publicly support eventual recognition, with Paris pushing for rapid action on Palestinian statehood, as Macron spearheads efforts to organise international support for the move.
Macron is pushing Starmer to recognise Palestinian statehood
REUTERSUK officials remain hesitant about the effectiveness of recognition without stringent conditions attached.
A Whitehall insider told The Telegraph: "The French are trying to get us back on board with recognition.
"We're reticent. You do it when you think you can achieve something from it, not for the sake of saying 'we've done it'."
London's concerns focus on ensuring any recognition would genuinely advance peace prospects rather than serving as an empty gesture, with particular emphasis on what Hamas must concede in return.
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France aims to reschedule a cancelled UN conference for September's General Assembly in New York, originally planned with Saudi Arabia to build consensus on Palestinian recognition.
The initial meeting was abandoned following Israeli air strikes on Iran while the UK was still developing its stance on the matter.
French officials reportedly view Palestinian recognition as a potential catalyst for achieving a two-state solution, even as Israel maintains its Gaza military operations.
Israel strongly opposes these efforts, stating that unilateral Palestinian recognition would effectively "reward" Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attacks that sparked the current Gaza conflict.
A Whitehall insider told The Telegraph that the French are trying to get the UK back on board with recognition
GETTYDomestic political developments are adding complexity to Starmer's decision-making on Palestinian recognition, with the formation of a new left-wing party creating additional pressure.
The party, formed by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana, intends to champion a significantly more pro-Palestinian position than the Prime Minister's current approach.
A Foreign Office spokesman stated: "We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people.
"Our long-standing position has been that we will recognise a Palestinian state at a time that is most conducive to the peace process."
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