Latest news with #PalestinianState
Reuters
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
France says UN conference to work on post-war Gaza, Palestinian state recognition
BRUSSELS, July 15 (Reuters) - A rescheduled United Nations conference this month will discuss post-war plans for Gaza and preparations for the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and others, France's foreign minister said on Tuesday. France and Saudi Arabia had planned to host the conference in New York from June 17-20, aiming to lay out the parameters of a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security. "The aim is to sketch out post-war Gaza and prepare the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and countries that will engage in this approach," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in Brussels before a meeting of European Union foreign ministers. The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which regional airspace was closed, making it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend. Diplomats said on Friday it had been rescheduled for July 28-29. French President Emmanuel Macron had been set to attend the conference and had suggested he could recognise a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territories at the conference, a move opposed by Israel. Macron is no longer expected to attend, reducing the likelihood of any major announcements being made. Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Israel has been fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian militant group's deadly attack on Israel in October 2023. A U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire is being discussed at talks in Doha.
LBCI
11 hours ago
- Politics
- LBCI
France says UN conference to work on post-war Gaza, Palestinian state recognition
A rescheduled United Nations conference this month will discuss post-war plans for Gaza and preparations for the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and others, France's foreign minister said on Tuesday. France and Saudi Arabia had planned to host the conference in New York from June 17-20, aiming to lay out the parameters of a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security. "The aim is to sketch out post-war Gaza and prepare the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and countries that will engage in this approach," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in Brussels before a meeting of European Union foreign ministers. The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which regional airspace was closed, making it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend. Diplomats said on Friday it had been rescheduled for July 28-29.
Al Arabiya
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
France says UN conference to work on post-war Gaza, Palestinian state recognition
A rescheduled United Nations conference this month will discuss post-war plans for Gaza and preparations for the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and others, France's foreign minister said on Tuesday. France and Saudi Arabia had planned to host the conference in New York from June 17-20, aiming to lay out the parameters of a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security. 'The aim is to sketch out post-war Gaza and prepare the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and countries that will engage in this approach,' Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in Brussels before a meeting of European Union foreign ministers. The conference was postponed after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which regional airspace was closed, making it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend. Diplomats said on Friday it had been rescheduled for July 28-29. French President Emmanuel Macron had been set to attend the conference and had suggested he could recognize a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territories at the conference, a move opposed by Israel. Macron is no longer expected to attend, reducing the likelihood of any major announcements being made. Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Israel has been fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian militant group's deadly attack on Israel in October 2023. A US-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire is being discussed at talks in Doha.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
France likely to move forward on a two-state solution in Middle East, says French ambassador to Ireland
France is considering a move to recognise a Palestinian state 'in time', the French ambassador to Ireland has said. Céline Place anticipated that France will be the driving force behind diplomatic moves to bring about a two-state solution to the crisis. In London this week, French president Emmanuel Macron said he wanted to 'initiate the political dynamic' of recognising Palestinian statehood. 'A two-state solution and the recognition of the state of Palestine are the only way to build peace,' he said. Last month a peace conference that was due to be held in New York was postponed after Israel's attack on Iran. Ms Place said France is now looking at rescheduling the conference, perhaps during the UN General Assembly in September. READ MORE Ireland, along with Spain and Norway, recognised a Palestinian state in May last year. Ms Place said French recognition for a Palestinian state was 'a point that Ireland made very clear' when then taoiseach, now Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris, met Mr Macron in Paris last August. 'We are committed to organising this international conference on the two-states solution working towards the recognition of the Palestinian state,' she said. 'There have been several comments by our president on this very active commitment to getting as many countries as possible to recognise a Palestinian state as it will really be leverage to relaunch a political process towards it. 'I would anticipate that we will be recognise a Palestinian state in time.' She declined to comment on the Occupied Territories Bill currently being proposed by the Government, saying it was an internal matter for Ireland. [ Government effort to ban occupied territories trade gets EU boost Opens in new window ] Ms Place said there will be a new five-year bilateral working plan between Ireland and France between 2025 and 2030 focusing on Ireland's presidency of the EU, beginning in July next year. France will also chair the G7 from January next year. 'I imagine we will use both to push forward together priorities.' As part of the new plan the French embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will sponsor efforts for Irish diplomats and civil servants and Irish army officers to speak French. 'It is an asset to speak French in Brussels, but also the francophone countries in Africa. The French language is a big priority for us.'
Arab News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Nearly 60 British Labour MPs urge UK to immediately recognize Palestinian state
LONDON: A group of nearly 60 British Labour politicians have called on the UK government to immediately recognize a Palestinian state, following alarming developments in Gaza and controversial remarks from Israel's defense minister, The Guardian reported on Saturday. In a letter sent to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Thursday, the cross-section of MPs, spanning both centrist and left-wing factions, accused Israel of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and demanded urgent action to prevent the forcible transfer of Palestinian civilians to a camp in the ruins of Rafah. 'It is with great urgency and concern that we are writing to you regarding the Israeli defense minister's announcement on Monday of his plans to forcibly transfer all Palestinian civilians in Gaza to a camp in the ruined city of Rafah without allowing them to leave,' the MPs wrote. Citing a prominent Israeli human rights lawyer, they continued: 'The defense minister's plans have been described by a leading Israeli human rights lawyer, Michael Sfard, as 'an operational plan for crimes against humanity. It's about population transfer to the southern tip of Gaza in preparation for deportation outside the strip.' 'Though an accurate description, we believe there is a clearer one. The ethnic cleansing of Gaza,' they added. The letter, organized by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, was signed by 59 MPs, including group co-chairs Sarah Owen and Andrew Pakes, as well as Liam Byrne, chair of the business and trade select committee. Other prominent signatories include Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Stella Creasy, Clive Lewis, Diane Abbott and Dawn Butler. The MPs outlined five key demands to ministers, some of which are in line with existing UK policy, such as continued funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency and efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. However, other recommendations are likely to stir political debate. These include imposing a trade blockade on Israeli settlements in the West Bank and granting immediate recognition to Palestine as a sovereign state. 'By not recognizing (Palestine) as a state, we undermine our own policy of a two-state solution and set an expectation that the status quo can continue and see the effective erasure and annexation of Palestinian territory,' the MPs warned. The UK government has previously indicated that it supports recognition of a Palestinian state 'at the point of maximum impact,' as part of a broader peace process in coordination with international allies. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office reiterated this position: 'We are committed to recognizing a Palestinian state and to doing so when (it) will have most impact in support of a peace process.' The Labour MPs' intervention comes just days after French President Emmanuel Macron issued a similar call during his state visit to the UK. Speaking alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Macron stressed the need for an unconditional ceasefire and momentum toward recognition. 'Calling today for a ceasefire in Gaza without any condition is telling the rest of the world that for us as Europeans, there is no double standard. As we are attached to human lives, as we are attached to territorial integrity, we want the ceasefire, no discussion,' Macron said. 'Today, working together in order to recognize the state of Palestine and to initiate this political momentum is the only path to peace,' he added. This is the second letter sent by Labour MPs in recent weeks calling for immediate recognition of Palestine, but the first time the signatories have made their names public. A previous letter also included some parliamentary aides and junior ministers.
