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Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
France says 'no alternative' to two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians
France told a UN conference co-chaired with Saudi Arabia on Monday that there is "no alternative" to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. "Only a political, two-state solution will help respond to the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. There is no alternative," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said at the start of the three-day meeting. Days before the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would formally recognise a State of Palestine in September. In an interview with French weekly La Tribune Dimanche, Barrot said that other European countries will confirm "their intention to recognise the State of Palestine" during the conference, without confirming which. "All states have a responsibility to act now," said Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Mustafa at the start of the meeting, calling for an international force to deploy to help underwrite Palestinian statehood. "Recognise the state of Palestine without delay." France is hoping that Britain will take this step. More than 200 British members of parliament on Friday voiced support for the idea, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that recognition of a Palestinian state "must be part of a wider plan." According to a database created by French news agency AFP, at least 142 of the 193 UN member states – including France – now recognize the Palestinian state proclaimed by the Palestinian leadership in exile in 1988. Thousands of lives lost In 1947, a resolution of the UN General Assembly decided on the partition of Palestine, then under a British mandate, into two independent states – one Jewish and the other Arab. The following year, the state of Israel was proclaimed. For several decades, the vast majority of UN member states have supported the idea of a two-state solution, Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side. But after more than 21 months of war in Gaza, the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and Israeli officials declaring designs to annex occupied territory, it is feared a Palestinian state could be geographically impossible. Why is France recognising Palestinian statehood and will it change anything? The current war in Gaza started following a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel, which responded with a large-scale military response that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives. This week's conference comes at a moment when "the prospect of a Palestinian state has never been so threatened, or so necessary," Barrot said. Beyond facilitating conditions for the recognition of a Palestinian state, the meeting will focus on three other issues – reform of the Palestinian Authority, disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from Palestinian public life, and normalisation of relations with Israel by Arab states. Growing international pressure However, no new normalisation deals are expected to be announced at the meeting, according to a French diplomatic source. On the other hand, "for the first time, Arab countries will condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament," Barrot said. The conference "offers a unique opportunity to transform international law and the international consensus into an achievable plan and to demonstrate resolve to end the occupation and conflict once and for all, for the benefit of all peoples," said Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour, calling for "courage" from participants. Israel and the United States were not taking part in the meeting, amid growing international pressure to mount on Israel to end nearly two years of war in Gaza. More than 110 aid and human rights groups denounce Gaza 'mass starvation' Despite "tactical pauses" in some military operations announced by Israel, the humanitarian catastrophe in the ravaged coastal territory is expected to dominate speeches by representatives of more than 100 countries as they take the podium. Bruno Stagno, chief advocacy officer at Human Rights Watch, said "more platitudes about a two-state solution and peace process will do nothing to advance the conference's goals, nor to halt the extermination of Palestinians in Gaza." (with AFP) Solve the daily Crossword
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
‘No alternative' to two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians: France's Foreign Minister
Find out what's new on ST website and app. French President Emmanuel Macron had announced that he would formally recognise a State of Palestine in September 2025. There is 'no alternative' to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, France told a UN conference co-chaired with Saudi Arabia on July 28. 'Only a political, two-state solution will help respond to the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. There is no alternative,' French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said at the start of the three-day meeting. Days before the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would formally recognise a State of Palestine in September 2025. In an interview with French weekly La Tribune Dimanche, Mr Barrot said that other European countries will confirm 'their intention to recognise the state of Palestine' during the conference, without confirming which. 'All states have a responsibility to act now,' said Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the start of the meeting, calling for an international force to deploy to help underwrite Palestinian statehood. 'Recognise the state of Palestine without delay.' France is hoping that Britain will take this step. More than 200 British members of Parliament on July 25 voiced support for the idea, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that recognition of a Palestinian state 'must be part of a wider plan'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road recovery works progressing steadily, tests under way Singapore ST Explains: What we know about the Tanjong Katong sinkhole so far Singapore Foreign workers who rescued woman from sinkhole given tokens of appreciation Asia Gunman kills 5 near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Business SIA Q1 profit falls 59%; airline group sees volatile times ahead Singapore Man exposed daughter's identity despite court order after she was removed from his care Singapore Over 6 years' jail for conman who cheated 13 victims of more than $1.2m According to an AFP database, at least 142 of the 193 UN member states – including France – now recognise the Palestinian state proclaimed by the Palestinian leadership in exile in 1988. In 1947, a resolution of the UN General Assembly decided on the partition of Palestine, then under a British mandate, into two independent states – one Jewish and the other Arab. The following year, the state of Israel was proclaimed. For several decades, the vast majority of UN member states have supported the idea of a two-state solution, Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side. But after more than 21 months of war in Gaza, the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and Israeli officials declaring designs to annex occupied territory, it is feared a Palestinian state could be geographically impossible. The current war in Gaza started following a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel, which responded with a large-scale military response that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives. This week's conference comes at a moment when 'the prospect of a Palestinian state has never been so threatened, or so necessary,' Mr Barrot said. Call for courage Beyond facilitating conditions for the recognition of a Palestinian state, the meeting will focus on three other issues – reform of the Palestinian authority, disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from Palestinian public life, and normalisation of relations with Israel by Arab states. However, no new normalisation deals are expected to be announced at the meeting, according to a French diplomatic source. On the other hand, 'for the first time, Arab countries will condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament,' Mr Barrot said. The conference 'offers a unique opportunity to transform international law and the international consensus into an achievable plan and to demonstrate resolve to end the occupation and conflict once and for all, for the benefit of all peoples,' said Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour, calling for 'courage' from participants. Israel and the US were not taking part in the meeting, amid growing international pressure to mount on Israel to end nearly two years of war in Gaza. Despite 'tactical pauses' in some military operations announced by Israel, the humanitarian catastrophe in the ravaged coastal territory is expected to dominate speeches by representatives of more than 100 countries as they take the podium. Mr Bruno Stagno, chief advocacy officer at Human Rights Watch, said 'more platitudes about a two-state solution and peace process will do nothing to advance the conference's goals, nor to halt the extermination of Palestinians in Gaza'. AFP
LeMonde
a day ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
France tells UN conference 'no alternative' to two-state solution
France told a UN conference co-chaired with Saudi Arabia on Monday, July 28, that there is "no alternative" to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. "Only a political, two-state solution will help respond to the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. There is no alternative," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said at the start of the three-day meeting. Days before the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would formally recognize a State of Palestine in September. In an interview with French weekly La Tribune Dimanche, Barrot also said that other European countries will confirm "their intention to recognize the State of Palestine" during the conference, without confirming which. "All states have a responsibility to act now," said Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the start of the meeting, calling for an international force to deploy to help underwrite Palestinian statehood. "Recognize the state of Palestine without delay." France is hoping that Britain will take this step. More than 200 British members of parliament on Friday voiced support for the idea, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that recognition of a Palestinian state "must be part of a wider plan." In 1947, a resolution of the UN General Assembly decided on the partition of Palestine, then under a British mandate, into two independent states – one Jewish and the other Arab. The following year, the state of Israel was proclaimed. For several decades, the vast majority of UN member states have supported the idea of a two-state solution, Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side. But after more than 21 months of war in Gaza, the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and Israeli officials declaring designs to annex occupied territory, it is feared a Palestinian state could be geographically impossible. The current war in Gaza started following a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel, which responded with a large-scale military response that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives. This week's conference comes at a moment when "the prospect of a Palestinian state has never been so threatened, or so necessary," Barrot said. Call for 'courage' Beyond facilitating conditions for the recognition of a Palestinian state, the meeting will focus on three other issues -- reform of the Palestinian Authority, disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from Palestinian public life, and normalization of relations with Israel by Arab states. "For the first time, Arab countries will condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament," Barrot said. The conference "offers a unique opportunity to transform international law and the international consensus into an achievable plan and to demonstrate resolve to end the occupation and conflict once and for all, for the benefit of all peoples," said Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour, calling for "courage" from participants. Israel and the United States were not taking part in the meeting, amid growing international pressure to mount on Israel to end nearly two years of war in Gaza. Despite "tactical pauses" in some military operations announced by Israel, the humanitarian catastrophe in the ravaged coastal territory is expected to dominate speeches by representatives of more than 100 countries as they take the podium.
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
'No Alternative' To Two-state Solution For Israel, Palestinians
France told a UN conference co-chaired with Saudi Arabia on Monday that there is "no alternative" to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. "Only a political, two-state solution will help respond to the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. There is no alternative," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said at the start of the three-day meeting. Days before the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would formally recognize a State of Palestine in September. In an interview with French weekly La Tribune Dimanche, Barrot said that other European countries will confirm "their intention to recognize the State of Palestine" during the conference, without confirming which. "All states have a responsibility to act now," said Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Mustafa at the start of the meeting, calling for an international force to deploy to help underwrite Palestinian statehood. "Recognize the state of Palestine without delay." France is hoping that Britain will take this step. More than 200 British members of parliament on Friday voiced support for the idea, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that recognition of a Palestinian state "must be part of a wider plan." According to an AFP database, at least 142 of the 193 UN member states -- including France -- now recognize the Palestinian state proclaimed by the Palestinian leadership in exile in 1988. In 1947, a resolution of the UN General Assembly decided on the partition of Palestine, then under a British mandate, into two independent states -- one Jewish and the other Arab. The following year, the state of Israel was proclaimed. For several decades, the vast majority of UN member states have supported the idea of a two-state solution, Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side. But after more than 21 months of war in Gaza, the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and Israeli officials declaring designs to annex occupied territory, it is feared a Palestinian state could be geographically impossible. The current war in Gaza started following a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel, which responded with a large-scale military response that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives. This week's conference comes at a moment when "the prospect of a Palestinian state has never been so threatened, or so necessary," Barrot said. Beyond facilitating conditions for the recognition of a Palestinian state, the meeting will focus on three other issues -- reform of the Palestinian Authority, disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from Palestinian public life, and normalization of relations with Israel by Arab states. However, no new normalization deals are expected to be announced at the meeting, according to a French diplomatic source. On the other hand, "for the first time, Arab countries will condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament," Barrot said. The conference "offers a unique opportunity to transform international law and the international consensus into an achievable plan and to demonstrate resolve to end the occupation and conflict once and for all, for the benefit of all peoples," said Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour, calling for "courage" from participants. Israel and the United States were not taking part in the meeting, amid growing international pressure to mount on Israel to end nearly two years of war in Gaza. Despite "tactical pauses" in some military operations announced by Israel, the humanitarian catastrophe in the ravaged coastal territory is expected to dominate speeches by representatives of more than 100 countries as they take the podium. Bruno Stagno, chief advocacy officer at Human Rights Watch, said "more platitudes about a two-state solution and peace process will do nothing to advance the conference's goals, nor to halt the extermination of Palestinians in Gaza." Arab countries at the conference will for the first time condemn Hamas, the French foreign minister said AFP Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and several dozen senior leaders from around the world expected to attend the conference AFP Beyond facilitating conditions for the recognition of a Palestinian state, the meeting will have three other focusses AFP
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
France petition against bee-killing pesticide gains 2 million signatures
PARIS: A student-led petition against a pesticide deadly to bees has surpassed two million signatures in France, intensifying calls for President Emmanuel Macron to reject a controversial bill permitting its use. The legislation, passed on July 8 without full parliamentary debate, would reintroduce acetamiprid, a chemical banned in France since 2018 but still legal in the EU. The petition, launched on July 10 by a 23-year-old master's student, has gained rapid support, including from 400 culinary professionals like Michelin-starred chefs, who condemned the 'blindness of our politicians.' Beet and hazelnut farmers argue they need the pesticide to combat pests and remain competitive, despite its ecological risks. A recent poll in La Tribune Dimanche revealed 64% of respondents oppose the bill, urging Macron to send it back for parliamentary review. The president awaits a ruling from the Constitutional Council on August 7 regarding the law's legality. Dubbed the Duplomb law after its author, Senator Laurent Duplomb, the legislation faces growing public resistance. While 500,000 signatures triggered eligibility for a public debate, discussions would focus only on the petition, not the law itself. – AFP
