US ambassador to Israel Huckabee blasts Europe, praises Arab states on Hamas
'France, UK, Ireland & Europe blast Israel but Saudi, Egypt & even Hamas helper Qatar rightly puts pressure on Hamas,' Huckabee posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday.
Huckabee's statement comes nearly a week after French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would recognise a Palestinian state in September.
It also comes a day after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hinged British recognition of a Palestinian state on Israel's refusal to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating Britain would recognise a Palestinian state in September if Israel did not agree to a ceasefire and take 'substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza'.
Ireland, along with Spain and Norway, recognised a Palestinian state last year, becoming one of 147 UN member states to do so.
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Huckabee's statement comes despite US President Donald Trump's seeming indifference to European recognition of Palestine.
Trump previously said Macron's statement 'doesn't carry weight' and that he 'doesn't mind' Starmer taking a position.
Trump has aimed to expand the Abraham Accords, an agreement enacted during his first term that normalised relations between several Arab states and Israel, by gaining the biggest prize of all: Saudi Arabia.
Yet Saudi Arabia has refused to discuss normalising relations with Israel unless the war in Gaza ends and steps are made towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Arab nations condemn Hamas
Huckabee's tweet praising Arab states comes after Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt signed a declaration condemning the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, demanding Hamas relinquish control of Gaza and supporting a ceasefire.
The call, which was supported by Britain and France along with the Arab League, was the result of a Saudi and French-led conference at the United Nations focused on reviving a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
The document condemned both the 7 October 2023 attack and 'attacks by Israel against civilians in Gaza'.
The declaration called for the restoration of a ceasefire in Gaza, which Israel shattered in March, and for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
'If Egypt is free, Gaza will be free,' says activist who locked Cairo embassy Read More »
The document also called for the Palestinian Authority to be the sole governing body in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
'In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State,' the document said.
The Palestinian Authority is seen by some as collaborators and complicit in the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.
Tuesday's declaration marks the first condemnation of 7 October 2023 by many Arab nations.
Qatar, also a supporter of a two-state solution, has mediated talks between Israel and Hamas, and hailed France's upcoming recognition of Palestine.
Egypt has faced criticism and protests for its alleged role in keeping the Rafah crossing closed, as malnutrition and famine spread in Gaza as a result of Israel's siege.
At least 154 Palestinians, including 89 children, have died from malnutrition, according to Palestinian health officials.
Egypt says the border is solely sealed by Israel, although in June it detained over 200 activists trying to break Israel's blockade.
Egypt has also begun training hundreds of Palestinians for post-war security in Gaza, in line with its vision for Palestinian Authority control over Gaza after the war.
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The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
