Gulf countries welcome French recognition of Palestinian state
Other EU members have recognised Palestine since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023 but France is the first member of the G7 group of major advanced economies to do so.
The Saudi foreign ministry said 'the kingdom commends this historic decision, which reaffirms the international community's consensus on the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and to establish their independent state'.
It called on other countries 'that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to take similar positive steps'.
Macron said on Thursday that France would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September.
A ministerial-level meeting co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia to discuss a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is planned for later this month.
Qatar, a key mediator in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on ending the Gaza war, also welcomed the French move.
Its foreign ministry said the move 'constitutes significant support for the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people' and 'contributes to advancing prospects for achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region'.
The Kuwaiti foreign ministry said it 'commended this significant step'.
The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – which also includes the UAE and Bahrain, both of which have ties with Israel – also praised the move.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yemen Online
10 hours ago
- Yemen Online
UAE launches water pipeline project to supply Gaza
The United Arab Emirates has initiated the construction of a critical water pipeline linking an Egyptian desalination plant to the coastal area of Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza. The project, approved by Israel's defense establishment and carried out with logistical coordination across borders, marks a significant humanitarian effort to alleviate the water crisis affecting nearly 600,000 Palestinians in the war-torn enclave. The pipeline, which will operate independently of existing Israeli water infrastructure, is designed to deliver potable water directly from Egypt into Gaza. It is being developed under the supervision of the Israeli military's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and was greenlit by the Israeli political echelon as a non-political, humanitarian measure. On Sunday, the first batch of construction materials, delivered by Emirati representatives, crossed the Kerem Shalom border crossing following stringent security inspections by Israel's Border Authority and Ministry of Defense. Construction is expected to begin in the coming days and will span several weeks. "This is a purely humanitarian measure, taken within the framework of cabinet decisions," said Israeli officials, emphasizing that the project does not signal a move toward rebuilding Gaza or any shift in political posture. "The connection of the pipeline does not constitute a step towards the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip," they added, aiming to quash speculation of normalization or broader reconciliation. The move comes amid a temporary humanitarian truce announced by Israel over the weekend. In parallel, Israeli authorities authorized workers from the Israel Electric Corporation to reconnect a key power line from the Ashkelon power station to Deir al-Balah. This line supports the Egyptian desalination plant already contributing to Gaza's water supply.
Yemen Online
11 hours ago
- Yemen Online
National Interest : Houthi Threat to Red Sea Will Persist Without Consequences
Aden — In a sharply worded analysis, The National Interest magazine cautioned that Yemen's Houthi militia will continue to endanger international shipping in the Red Sea unless it faces tangible repercussions for its escalating attacks. The article, co-authored by researchers Mark Dubowitz and Kobi Gottlieb, argues that diplomatic efforts led by the United States and Saudi Arabia have failed to deter the Iran-backed group. Instead, the Houthis have exploited ceasefires to rearm and intensify their operations, including ballistic missile launches on Israeli targets and dozens of assaults on commercial vessels since October 2023. Global Maritime Security at Risk - Houthis' actions have disrupted global supply chains, threatening one of the world's most vital maritime corridors. - The threat, the authors stress, extends beyond Israel and now jeopardizes international trade and civilian safety across the region. Call for a Harder Line The report urges the U.S. administration to abandon its 'de-escalation at any cost' approach and instead adopt: - Stricter sanctions - Heightened diplomatic pressure - Potential military intervention, if necessary The authors emphasize that 'ceasefires must be earned, not given', warning that agreements with terrorist-designated groups are unreliable without credible deterrence mechanisms. As tensions mount in the Red Sea, the article reflects growing international concern over the Houthis' role as a strategic proxy for Iran, and the urgent need for a decisive response to safeguard maritime stability.
Yemen Online
11 hours ago
- Yemen Online
Year of Israeli Airstrikes on Yemen: A Nation Under Siege
Aden — A full year has passed since the first Israeli airstrike targeted Yemen on July 20, 2024, marking the beginning of a sustained military campaign that has reshaped the country's geopolitical landscape and deepened its humanitarian crisis. Over the past 12 months, Israel has conducted at least 12 major military operations across Yemen, involving dozens of air and naval strikes. These operations primarily targeted infrastructure in Al-Hudaydah, Sana'a, and other strategic locations, which were reportedly repurposed by Houthi forces for military use. Key Operations and Targets - The campaign began with 'Long Arm 1' and 'Long Arm 2' in Al-Hudaydah. - Later operations, such as 'White City' and 'Golden Jewel,' expanded to include Sana'a International Airport, which was nearly destroyed. - The most recent strike, 'Long Braid,' on July 21, 2025, introduced unmanned aerial drones, signaling a shift toward lower-cost, high-impact tactics. Casualties and Damage - According to rights groups, 141 civilians were killed or injured, including 34 fatalities and 107 wounded, among them children and technical workers. - Infrastructure losses include: - Three major ports in Al-Hudaydah - Sana'a International Airport - Four civilian aircraft - Multiple power stations and fuel depots
