UK faces legal action over refusal to evacuate Gaza's critically ill children
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Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
UK, French and German leaders press Israel over Gaza aid after Macron backs a Palestinian state
LONDON: The leaders of Britain, France and Germany demanded Israel allow unrestricted aid into Gaza to end a 'humanitarian catastrophe,' after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will become the first major Western power to recognize a Palestinian state. The joint statement, issued after a call between Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, called for an immediate ceasefire and said that 'withholding essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable,' though it broke no new diplomatic ground. The leaders said they 'stand ready to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political process that leads to lasting security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region,' but did not say what that action might be. France's move exposes European divisions Macron's surprise announcement exposed differences among the European allies, known as the E3, over how to ease the worsening humanitarian crisis and end the Israel-Hamas war. All three support a Palestinian state in principle, but Germany said it has no immediate plans to follow France's step, which Macron plans to formalize at the United Nations General Assembly in September. Britain has not followed suit either, but Starmer is under mounting pressure to formally recognize Palestinian statehood, both from opposition lawmakers and from members of his own Labour Party government. Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Tuesday called for an announcement 'while there's still a state of Palestine left to recognize.' On Friday, 221 of the 650 lawmakers in the House of Commons signed a letter urging Starmer to recognize a Palestinian state. 'Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance,' said the letter, signed by legislators from several government and opposition parties. After the E3 call on Friday, Starmer condemned 'the continued captivity of hostages, the starvation and denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, the increasing violence from extremist settler groups, and Israel's disproportionate military escalation in Gaza.' He said that 'recognition of a Palestinian state' must be one of the steps on a pathway to peace. 'I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis,' he said. More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state, including a dozen in Europe. But France is the first Group of Seven country and the largest European nation to take that step. Israel and the United States both denounced France's decision. Britain has long supported the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel, but has said recognition should come as part of a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict. Any such solution appears far off. There had been no substantive Israel-Palestinian negotiations for years even before the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and sparked the current war. Humanitarian crisis alarms Israel's allies The worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where hunger is spreading and children have starved to death, has caused alarm even among Israel's closest allies. Germany has traditionally been a particularly staunch ally of Israel in Europe, with relations rooted in the history of the Holocaust. It says recognizing a Palestinian state should be 'one of the concluding steps' in negotiating a two-state solution and it 'does not plan to recognize a Palestinian state in the short term.' But Berlin, too, has sharpened its tone recently, describing the Israeli military's actions in Gaza as unacceptable and pushing for greater humanitarian aid, but still appears to favor trying to influence Israeli officials by direct contact. The German government said in a statement on Friday that it is in a 'constant exchange' with the Israeli government and other partners on issues that include a ceasefire in Gaza and the need to drastically improve humanitarian aid. It said it is 'prepared to increase the pressure' if there is no progress, but didn't elaborate on how. Britain has halted some arms sales to Israel, suspended free trade talks and sanctioned far-right government ministers and extremist settlers, but Starmer is under intense pressure to do more. Also weighing on Starmer is his desire to maintain good relations with the US administration, which has strongly criticized France's decision. The British leader is due to meet President Donald Trump in the next few days while the president is in Scotland visiting two golf courses he owns there. Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East expert at the international affairs think-tank Chatham House, said Macron's decision to defer finalizing recognition until September 'creates some space' for other countries to get on board. 'We know that the UK is close, but not there,' he said. 'This might encourage Starmer, who we know is not one to rush such a decision. … This might create some momentum, some dynamic, for the UK'
Saudi Gazette
8 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Palestine welcomes France's plan to recognize Palestinian state
GAZA — The Palestinian Foreign Ministry and Hamas welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron's pledge on Thursday to formally recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September, hailing the move as a diplomatic milestone and a step toward justice. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also praised Macron's pledge, calling it 'historic' and a reaffirmation of France's commitment to international law and a peaceful resolution of the conflict based on a two-state solution. 'This is a victory for Palestinian diplomacy and Arab efforts, particularly those led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to secure broader international recognition of the State of Palestine,' the ministry said. The ministry called on other countries to follow suit and participate actively in the UN conference in New York, while also taking practical steps to preserve and implement the two-state solution. In a statement, Hamas described Macron's announcement as 'a positive step in the right direction' that supports the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and statehood on all occupied territories, with Jerusalem as their capital. The group said the French position signals 'a political development that reflects growing international conviction in the justice of the Palestinian cause,' and criticized Israel's efforts to distort facts and 'suppress the will of free nations.' It added that such moves increase both 'political and moral pressure' on the Israeli government. Macron confirmed his intention in a post on X, stating: 'In line with our historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.' If carried out, France would become the first G7 member to officially recognize Palestine. Currently, 149 out of 193 UN member states recognize the State of Palestine. — Agencies
Saudi Gazette
8 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Israel outraged over Macron's decision to recognize Palestinian state
TEL AVIV — Israeli leaders responded with anger and condemnation after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly session in September. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move 'rewards terror' and accused Macron of legitimizing Hamas following the group's Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. 'I strongly condemn President Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7 massacre,' Netanyahu said in a statement. 'A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.' Netanyahu warned that the recognition could result in 'another Iranian proxy,' comparing a future Palestinian state to Hamas-controlled Gaza. French President Macron said the decision is part of France's 'historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,' and emphasized that the recognition will be formally announced in September at the UN. Israel's Justice Minister Yariv Levin denounced the move as a 'disgrace in French history' and called for retaliatory steps, including the annexation of the occupied West Bank. 'Now is the time to apply sovereignty to Judea and Samaria,' he said, using the Israeli government's terminology for the West Bank. Defense Minister Israel Katz accused Macron of weakening Israel at a critical moment. 'Instead of standing by Israel at this critical moment, the French president chooses to weaken us,' he said. 'We will never allow the creation of a Palestinian entity that threatens our existence.' The Yesha Council, representing Israeli settlers in the West Bank, also called on the government to respond by extending full Israeli sovereignty over the territory. Macron's declaration adds France to the growing list of countries pushing for recognition of Palestinian statehood, joining 149 out of 193 UN member states that already officially recognize the State of Palestine. — Agencies
