Latest news with #IsraeliSettlers
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Macron: France May Toughen Stance on Israel if it Continues Blocking Gaza Aid
France could harden its position on Israel if it continues to block humanitarian aid to Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, reiterating that Paris was committed to a two-state solution to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict. "The humanitarian blockade is creating a situation that is untenable on the ground," Macron said at a joint press conference in Singapore with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. "And so, if there is no response that meets the humanitarian situation in the coming hours and days, obviously, we will have to toughen our collective position," Macron said, adding that France may consider applying sanctions against Israeli settlers. "But I still hope that the government of Israel will change its stance and that we will finally have a humanitarian response,' Reuters quoted him as saying. Under growing international pressure, Israel partially ended an 11-week long aid blockade on Gaza last week, allowing a limited amount of relief to be delivered under a system that has been heavily criticized. Macron said Paris is committed to working towards a political solution and reiterated his support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The existence of a Palestinian state "is not just simply a moral duty but also a political necessity," Macron told reporters in Singapore, in comments broadcast on French TV. Macron is leaning towards recognizing a Palestinian state, diplomats and experts say, a move that could infuriate Israel and deepen Western splits. French officials are weighing up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting between June 17-20, to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Israel authorises more Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank
Israel said Thursday it would establish 22 Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including the legalisation of outposts already built without government authorisation. Advertisement Israel captured the West Bank, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, in the 1967 Mideast war and the Palestinians want all three territories for their future state. Most of the international community views settlements as illegal and an obstacle to resolving the decades-old conflict. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the settlement decision 'strengthens our hold on Judea and Samaria', using the biblical term for the West Bank, 'anchors our historical right in the Land of Israel, and constitutes a crushing response to Palestinian terrorism'. He added it was also 'a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel'. Israeli troops stand guard during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Photo: Reuters Israel has already built well over 100 settlements across the territory that are home to some 500,000 settlers. The settlements range from small hilltop outposts to fully developed communities with residential blocks, shopping malls, factories and public parks. Advertisement The West Bank is home to 3 million Palestinians, who live under Israeli military rule with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority administering population centres. The settlers have Israeli citizenship.
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Macron weighs recognition of Palestinian state as Gaza toll mounts
French President Emmanuel Macron is leaning towards recognizing a Palestinian state, but diplomats and experts say such a move may prove a premature and ineffective way to pressure Israel into moving towards a peace deal with the Palestinians. They say it could deepen Western divisions — not only within the already-divided European Union but also with the United States, Israel's staunchest ally — and would need to be accompanied by other measures, such as sanctions and trade bans, if recognition were to be anything more than a symbolic gesture. French officials are weighing up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting from June 17 to 20, to lay out the parameters for a road map to a Palestinian state while ensuring Israel's security. If Macron went ahead, France, home to Europe's largest Jewish and Muslim communities, would become the first Western heavyweight to recognize a Palestinian state, potentially giving greater momentum to a movement hitherto dominated by smaller nations that are generally more critical of Israel. "If France moves, several (European) countries will follow," Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said. Macron's stance has shifted amid Israel's intensified Gaza offensive and escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and there is a growing sense of urgency in Paris to act now before the idea of a two-state solution vanishes forever. "We must move from words to deeds. Faced with facts on the ground, the prospect of a Palestinian state must be maintained. Irreversible and concrete measures are necessary," Macron's Middle East adviser Anne-Claire Legendre told delegates at a preparatory meeting in New York on May 23. Diplomats caution that while Macron now favors the move, he has yet to make a final decision, and things could change — including a potential Gaza ceasefire accord — before mid-June. However, his diplomats are scrambling to ensure the best conditions are in place for him to make the decision, including full assessments at the U.N. conference on the reform of the Palestinian Authority, disarming Hamas or future reconstruction. Israeli lobbying Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent what some have described as "a nuclear bomb" for bilateral relations. The idea that France, one of Israel's closest allies and a G7 member, could recognize a Palestinian state would certainly infuriate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron at joint news conference in Jerusalem on Oct. 24, 2023. | Pool via REUTERS When the U.K. and Canada joined France this month to say they could impose concrete measures on Israel and commit to recognizing a Palestinian state, Netanyahu issued a firm rebuke, accusing the leaders of the three countries of antisemitism. Diplomats say Canada and the U.K. remain lukewarm for now about recognition, suggesting the priority is to make a difference on the ground — something that may dampen Macron's ambitions. According to two sources familiar with the matter, Israel's warnings to France have ranged from scaling back intelligence sharing to complicating Paris' regional initiatives — even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank. Whether that would materialize seems unlikely, given the likely international fallout fueling one of Israel's greatest fears: deepening isolation, particularly with regard to Europe, its key trade partner. "(But) the reaction will be negative across the board (in Israel)," Tamir Hayman, Executive Director at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) said, adding that it would feed an ultraright narrative in Israel that the world is against it. "It would be useless and a waste of time." Shifting French views Macron strongly backed Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. But he has steadily sharpened his language against Israel over its actions in Gaza, where the death toll among Palestinians has risen to more than 50,000, according to Palestinian health officials. "We need to move towards recognition. Over the next few months, we will," Macron said during an interview on April 9. French President Emmanuel Macron (left) shakes hands with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during their meeting at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday. | AFP-JIJI Even then, he hedged, setting vague conditions and saying he aimed to build momentum with a coalition backing France while nudging Muslim states toward recognizing Israel. However, there are no indications for now that any new Muslim or Arab states are ready to move towards normalizing ties with Israel. Saudi Arabia, the ultimate prize for Israeli normalization, is in no position for any rapprochement given the anger in many Muslim countries over events in Gaza. "Regional peace begins with recognizing the state of Palestine, not as a symbolic gesture, but as a strategic necessity," Manal Radwan, an adviser to the Saudi foreign minister, said in New York on Friday. She did not mention the possibility of recognizing Israel. Macron's critics argue that recognition should come as part of negotiations towards a two-state solution — not before — and warn that an early move could weaken incentives for Palestinians to engage. Underlining divisions within the EU, one European diplomat said: "It is our view that this recognition would not be helpful now or encourage more action within the member states." Others say recognition must be twinned with other measures such as a Europe-wide ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territories and specific sanctions on Israeli officials. French officials say they will not be swayed by such criticism or by the Israeli pressure. "If there is a moment in history to recognize a Palestinian state, even if it's just symbolic, then I would say that moment has probably come," said a senior French official, adding that Macron may also want to leave a trace in history before his presidential mandate expires in 2027.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Macron navigates rocky path to recognising Palestinian state
PARIS, May 28 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron is leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state, but diplomats and experts say such a move may prove a premature and ineffective way to pressure Israel into moving towards a peace deal with the Palestinians. They say it could deepen Western splits, not only within the already-divided European Union, but also with the United States, Israel's staunchest ally, and would need to be accompanied by other measures such as sanctions and trade bans if recognition were to be anything more than a symbolic gesture. French officials are weighing up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting between June 17-20, to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security. If Macron went ahead, France, home to Europe's largest Jewish and Muslim communities, would become the first Western heavyweight to recognise a Palestinian state, potentially giving greater momentum to a movement hitherto dominated by smaller nations that are generally more critical of Israel. "If France moves, several (European) countries will follow," Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told Reuters. Macron's stance has shifted amid Israel's intensified Gaza offensive and escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and there is a growing sense of urgency in Paris to act now before the idea of a two-state solution vanishes forever. "We must move from words to deeds. Faced with facts on the ground, the prospect of a Palestinian state must be maintained. Irreversible and concrete measures are necessary," Macron's Middle East adviser Anne-Claire Legendre told delegates at a preparatory meeting in New York on May 23. Diplomats caution that while Macron now favours the move, he has yet to make a final decision, and things could change - including a potential Gaza ceasefire accord - before mid-June. However, his diplomats are scrambling to ensure the best conditions are in place for him to make the decision, including full assessments at the UN conference on the reform of the Palestinian Authority, disarming Hamas or future reconstruction. Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent what some have described as "a nuclear bomb" for bilateral relations. The idea that France, one of Israel's closest allies and a G7 member, could recognise a Palestinian state, would certainly infuriate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. When Britain and Canada joined France this month to say they could impose concrete measures on Israel and commit to recognising a Palestinian state, Netanyahu issued a firm rebuke, accusing the leaders of the three countries of antisemitism. Diplomats say Canada and Britain remain lukewarm for now about recognition, suggesting the priority is to make a difference on the ground, something that may dampen Macron's ambitions. According to two sources familiar with the matter, Israel's warnings to France have ranged from scaling back intelligence sharing to complicating Paris' regional initiatives - even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank. Whether that would materialise seems unlikely, given the likely international fallout fuelling one of Israel's greatest fears: deepening isolation, particularly with regard to Europe, its key trade partner. "(But) the reaction will be negative across the board (in Israel)," Tamir Hayman, Executive Director at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) told Reuters, adding it would feed an ultra-right narrative in Israel that the world is against it. "It would be useless and a waste of time." Macron strongly backed Israel after Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. But he has steadily sharpened his language against Israel over its actions in Gaza, where the death toll among Palestinians has risen to more than 50,000, according to Palestinian health officials. "We need to move towards recognition. Over the next few months, we will," Macron said during an interview on April 9. Even then, he hedged, setting vague conditions and saying he aimed to build momentum with a coalition backing France while nudging Muslim states toward recognising Israel. However, there are no indications for now that any new Muslim or Arab states are ready to move towards normalising ties with Israel. Saudi Arabia, the ultimate prize for Israeli normalisation, is in no position for any rapprochement given the anger in many Muslim countries over events in Gaza. "Regional peace begins with recognising the state of Palestine, not as a symbolic gesture, but as a strategic necessity," Manal Radwan, an adviser to the Saudi foreign minister, said in New York on Friday. She did not mention the possibility of recognising Israel. Macron's critics argue that recognition should come as part of negotiations towards a two-state solution - not before - and warning that an early move could weaken incentives for Palestinians to engage. Underlining divisions within the EU, one European diplomat said: "It is our view that this recognition would not be helpful now or encourage more action within the member states." Others say recognition must be twinned with other measures such as a Europe-wide ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territories and specific sanctions on Israeli officials. French officials say they will not be swayed by such criticism or by the Israeli pressure. "If there is a moment in history to recognise a Palestinian state even if it's just symbolic then I would say that moment has probably come," said a senior French official, adding that Macron may also want to leave a trace in history before his presidential mandate expires in 2027.
Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Far-right Israelis confront Palestinians, other Israelis in chaotic Jerusalem march
A large rally in Jerusalem marking Israel's capture of the city's east in the 1967 war descended into chaos on Monday as far-right Israeli Jews confronted and assaulted Palestinians, fellow Israelis and journalists, witnesses said. The annual 'Flag March' drew tens of thousands of people, chanting, dancing and waving Israeli flags after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, a longtime flashpoint of Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Violence broke out in the walled Old City of East Jerusalem shortly after midday, a Reuters witness said, when young marchers began harassing the few Palestinian shopkeepers who had yet to shutter their stores ahead of the rally. The marchers, mostly young Israelis who live in settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, then began to target Israeli left-wing activists and journalists observing the rally. The demonstrators shouted nationalistic slogans and called for violence against Palestinians, chanting: 'Death to Arabs'. A Palestinian woman and journalists were spat on by a group of young settlers, and nearby Israeli police did not intervene, the Reuters witness said. Police officials did not respond to a request for comment. No arrests were reported as of late afternoon. A police officer at the scene said young Israeli marchers could not be arrested because they were under the age of 18. Moshe, a 35-year-old Israeli settler from the West Bank and supporter of the current right-wing government, walked through a Palestinian neighbourhood of the Old City with a rifle slung over his shoulder and his daughter on his shoulders. It was a 'very happy day' because all of Jerusalem was 'under the government of Israel,' he said, declining to give his last name. Left-wing opposition leader Yair Golan, a former armed forces deputy commander, called images of violence in the Old City 'shocking'. He said in a statement: 'This is not what loving Jerusalem looks like. This is what hatred, racism and bullying look like.' 'We will keep Jerusalem united, whole, and under Israeli sovereignty,' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting held in East Jerusalem earlier on Monday. A spokesperson for the Palestinian presidency based in the West Bank condemned the march and Ben Gvir's visit to Al-Aqsa. Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, 'repeated incursions into the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and provocative acts such as raising the Israeli flag in occupied Jerusalem threaten the stability of the entire region,' the spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said in a statement. Clashes flared throughout the day as left-wing Israeli activists intervened to escort Palestinians away from young far-right Israeli Jews threatening passersby, witnesses said. Journalists covering the rally were repeatedly harassed and in some instances assaulted, the Reuters witness said. Earlier, Ben Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the walled Old City, known to Jews as Temple Mount and to Arabs as the Noble Sanctuary - the third holiest site in Islam. Ben Gvir said in a video filmed at the elevated compound that the site was being flooded by Jews. 'Today, thank God, it is already possible to pray on the Temple Mount,' he said. Under a decades-old arrangement, the compound is administered by a Jordanian Islamic trust. Jews, who regard the compound as the site of two ancient temples, are allowed to visit but not pray there. Ben Gvir, whose visit was condemned by the Palestinian Authority and Jordan, has along with others on the far right in Israel long pushed for Jewish prayer rights at the site. This year's Flag March again coincided with the war in Gaza, now in its 20th month, and escalating Israeli military operations against Palestinian militants in the West Bank, where settler attacks targeting Palestinian residents have been on the rise. The march frequently stokes tension as ultranationalist Jews stream into Palestinian areas of Jerusalem's walled Old City en route to the Western Wall, one of Judaism's most sacred sites, which abuts the mosque compound. The 2021 rally led to a brief war between Israel and Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas. The current war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas' October 2023 attack on southern Israeli communities. Israel captured East Jerusalem, including the Old City, from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state that would include the West Bank and Gaza. Most countries consider East Jerusalem to be occupied territory and do not recognize Israeli sovereignty over it. Israel deems Jerusalem as its eternal, indivisible capital. In 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized all of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv. On Sunday, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, an evangelical Christian, congratulated Israel on what he called the reunification of the city 58 years ago. Naomi Hirschler, 39, an Israeli hairdresser from Jerusalem, walking past shuttered Palestinian-owned stores in the Old City, said she attends the rally every year. 'It's something you can't explain. You feel it. It's happiness from inside,' she said, adding that she was 'very happy that we have Jerusalem for us.'
