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Washington Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
France and Saudis vow to keep up momentum for 'two-state solution' to Israel-Palestinian conflict
UNITED NATIONS — After decades of inaction and frozen negotiations, the issue of an independent Palestinian state living in peace with Israel returned to the spotlight at a high-level U.N. conference — and France and Saudi Arabia, which spearheaded the effort, are determined to keep up the momentum. But hurdles for a two-state solution that would see Israel living side-by-side with an independent Palestine are very high. War in Gaza — a crucial part of a hoped-for Palestinian state — drags on with escalating violence in the West Bank, the other main component. And Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government vehemently oppose an independent Palestinian state, which the Israeli leader says would be a reward for terrorism after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attacks against his country. Nonetheless, after eight decades of conflict between Israel and Palestinians, pressure is growing for a two-state solution, as last week's high-level U.N. conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia demonstrated — even if it was boycotted by Israel and its close ally, the United States. The French U.N. ambassador, Jerome Bonnafont, conceded in an Associated Press interview that without a Gaza ceasefire and massive humanitarian aid for over 2 million Palestinians sliding toward famine, 'it will be extremely difficult to move forward to define a new way of administering Gaza as part of Palestine' – and he said these are priority issues. But the conference demonstrated that a majority of the U.N.'s 193 member nations are 'convinced that there is a possibility of a political solution,' he said, and that is 'what its follow-up will continue to promote.' About 160 of the U.N.'s 193 member nations participated, 125 spoke in support of a two-state solution (forcing the meeting into an unexpected third day), and between 40 and 50 were represented by a government minister. An independent state of Palestine is recognized by over 145 countries, and the meeting sparked new pledges of recognition by three of the seven members of the powerful Group of Seven — France, United Kingdom and Canada — as well as Malta. A statement by seven others, including Australia, New Zealand, Finland and Portugal, expressed 'positive consideration' of following suit. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farham are determined not to let the spotlight fade. They are planning 'an event' during the annual gathering of world leaders at the General Assembly, which starts Sept. 23, when the new pledges are expected to be officially announced. The conference was notable for being co-chaired by an Arab and Western nation, and for setting up eight working groups with diverse chairs to make proposals on key issues for a two state solution — security for Israel and an independent Palestine, political reforms, legal problems, humanitarian assistance, economic development and Gaza reconstruction, to name some. The result was a seven-page 'New York Declaration.' The French and Saudi foreign ministers sent the declaration, with a lengthy annex of recommendations from the working groups, to all 193 U.N. members and asked them to endorse it by early September, before the world leaders' gathering. The declaration, which also was endorsed by the European Union and Arab League, urges Israel to commit to a Palestinian state, and urges further recognitions as 'an essential and indispensable component of the achievement of the two-state solution.' For the first time, the Arab League's 22 member nations condemned 'the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians' in southern Israel on Oct. 7, and agree that 'Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.' It sets out a plan to then move to an independent, demilitarized Palestine, including deployment of a U.N. Security Council-mandated 'temporary international stabilization mission' supported by the Palestinian Authority. It would protect civilians, help build support for a Palestinian state and its security forces, and provide 'security guarantees for Palestine and Israel.' Richard Gowan, the International Crisis Group's U.N. director, gave French President Emmanuel Macron credit 'for raising the level of ambition for the conference,' and helping make it 'more symbolically significant than many diplomats expected.' The meeting gave weighty states including France, Britain and Canada the opportunity 'to signal their discontent with Israeli policy,' he said, and it gave Palestinians seeking a peaceful road to statehood 'some political ammunition.' Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who hosted a Hamas delegation in Istanbul last week to discuss Gaza's humanitarian crisis and stalled ceasefire talks, noted growing global support for the Palestinians and a Palestinian state — and Israel's increasing isolation. Bonnafont, the French ambassador, had messages for Israel's opponents and Israelis seeking more territory. 'We say to those who are hostile to Israel, the way to peace is certainly not to deny the right of existence to Israel. This is the way to perpetual war,' Bonnafont said. 'And the real way to defend the Palestinians is to give them a state, and the only way to give them a state is a two-state solution — and we have demonstrated concretely that this solution exists and is feasible.'
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India Urges Immediate Ceasefire, Unhindered Aid Flow to Gaza at UN Meet
/ Jul 30, 2025, 09:24AM IST At the United Nations High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, India reaffirmed its unwavering support for the two-state solution and emphasized the urgent need for direct dialogue between the conflicting parties. Represented by Ambassador Harish P., India called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Highlighting the devastating human toll, including damage to medical facilities and prolonged school closures, India stressed that humanitarian assistance must remain outside the realm of politics. India also expressed its readiness to actively contribute to efforts that bring peace and stability to the region.#IndiaAtUN #Palestine #TwoStateSolution #GazaCrisis #UNConference #PeaceInMiddleEast #HumanitarianAid #CeasefireNow #IndiaForPeace #DiplomacyFirst
Al Jazeera
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
UN Secretary-General: ‘The destruction of Gaza is intolerable'
UN Secretary-General: 'The destruction of Gaza is intolerable' NewsFeed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is warning that an Israel-Palestinian two-state solution is 'farther than ever'. Speaking at a high-level UN conference to promote a two-state solution, he said the destruction of Gaza and the illegal annexation of the West Bank must come to an end. Video Duration 01 minutes 13 seconds 01:13 Video Duration 02 minutes 51 seconds 02:51 Video Duration 02 minutes 47 seconds 02:47 Video Duration 00 minutes 44 seconds 00:44 Video Duration 02 minutes 00 seconds 02:00 Video Duration 00 minutes 52 seconds 00:52 Video Duration 03 minutes 59 seconds 03:59
Jordan Times
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
More than 220 UK MPs urge Starmer to recognise Palestinian state
LONDON — More than 220 British MPs, including dozens from the ruling Labour party, demanded Friday that the UK government formally recognise a Palestinian state, further increasing pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The call, in a letter signed by lawmakers from nine UK political parties, came less than 24 hours after French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country would formally recognise a Palestinian state at a UN meeting in September. France would be the first G7 country, and the most powerful European nation to date, to make the move, already drawing condemnation from Israel and the United States. Starmer has come under rising domestic and international pressure over recognising Palestinian statehood, as opposition intensifies to the ongoing war in Gaza amid fears of mass starvation there. "We urge you to officially recognise the state of Palestine at the Conference next week," the 221 UK lawmakers wrote in the joint letter, referring to a July 28-29 UN Conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia in New York. "Whilst we appreciate the UK does not have it in its power to bring about a free and independent Palestine, UK recognition would have a significant impact," it said. The signatories, from parties including the centre-right Conservatives and centrist Liberal Democrats, as well as regional parties in Scotland and Wales, cited Britain's "historic connections and our membership on the UN Security Council". They also noted the country's role in helping to create the state of Israel through the 1917 Balfour Declaration. 'Responsibility' "Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people," they added. In the face of growing pressure on the issue, the UK government has maintained its longstanding stance that it supports a two-state solution to the conflict in the Middle East. But it has insisted that the conditions are currently not right for formal recognition of a Palestinian state. In a statement Friday following a call about Gaza with his counterparts in France and Germany, Starmer said he was "working on a pathway to peace in the region". "Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan," he added. A number of factors could deter Starmer from making the move, including wanting to avoid angering US President Donald Trump. The American leader, who lands later Friday in Scotland for a five-day visit, dismissed Macron's announcement before departing Washington, saying it "doesn't carry weight". The pressure around recognising Palestinian statehood has been building on Starmer's government, with nearly 60 Labour MPs reportedly urging Foreign Secretary David Lammy to make the move in a private letter earlier in July. Meanwhile Macron raised the issue during his UK state visit this month, publicly urging London to work with Paris on a formal recognition announcement.
Middle East Eye
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
More than 220 UK MPs urge Starmer to recognise Palestinian state
Some 220 British MPs have called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to follow France's footsteps in recognising a Palestinian state in a letter sent on Friday. The MPs - about a third of lawmakers in the House of Commons - represent all four major parties in Britain: Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party. "We write to you in advance of the UN Conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia on the 28th-29th July in New York, to put on record our support for UK recognition of a Palestinian state," the letter reads. "We are expectant that the outcome of the conference will be the UK Government outlining when and how it will act on its long-standing commitment on a two-state solution; as well as how it will work with international partners to make this a reality." French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France will recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The plan follows similar moves by Spain, Norway and Ireland last year, and has drawn strong condemnation from Israel and the United States. On Friday, Starmer said that the British government would recognise a Palestinian state only as part of a negotiated peace deal, disappointing many within his Labour Party. One Labour MP told Reuters there was dissatisfaction within the party over Starmer's failure to take stronger diplomatic steps to condemn Israel, as Gaza descends into famine. At least 127 Palestinians, including 85 children, have died of starvation since Israel's blockade resumed in March, including 15 who died of malnutrition on Monday, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Starvation in Gaza: Dizziness, fatigue and people collapsing in the streets Read More » Foreign Secretary David Lammy has publicly opposed unilateral recognition, insisting earlier this year that the UK would only recognise a Palestinian state "when we know it's going to happen and it's in sight". "Whilst we appreciate the UK does not have it in its power to bring about a free and independent Palestine, UK recognition would have a significant impact due to our historic connections and our membership on the UN Security Council, so we urge you to take this step," the letter to Starmer read. "British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine. Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people under that Mandate." Successive British governments have maintained that they will officially recognise a Palestinian state when the time is right. However, they have not provided a timeline or outlined what conditions must be met. The MPs' letter comes two days after more than 30 former UK ambassadors and 20 former senior British diplomats at the UN also urged the prime minister to recognise a Palestinian state. In a joint letter, the diplomats said the 'deadly status quo' in Gaza, amid Israel's two-year war on the enclave, could be broken by recognising Palestine. The signatories of the joint statement included former UK ambassadors to Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria and Turkey.
