France calls on EU to pressure Israel to come to table on Palestinian two-state solution
Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, told reporters at the UN that while there is international consensus that the time for a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is now, world powers need to back up their words with actions.
'The European Commission, on behalf of the EU, has to express its expectations and show the means that we can incentivize the Israeli government to hear this appeal,' he said.
Barrot spoke on the first day of a high-level UN meeting on a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is being co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
The conference, which was postponed from June and downgraded to the ministerial level, is taking place in New York as international condemnation of Israel's handling of the war in Gaza reaches a fever pitch. Both Israel and its closest ally, the US, refused to participate in the meeting, which Barrot said is being attended by representatives of 125 countries, including 50 ministers.
The aim of the conference, Barrot said, is 'to reverse the trend of what is happening in the region — mainly the erasure of the two-state solution, which has been for a long time the only solution that can bring peace and security in the region.'
He urged the European Commission to call on Israel to lift a financial blockade on 2 billion euros he says the Israeli government owes the Palestinian Authority, stop settlement building in the West Bank, which threatens the territorial integrity of a future Palestinian state, and end the 'militarized' food delivery system in Gaza by the Israeli-backed US Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has resulted in hundreds of killings.
Dubravka Suica, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, told the meeting the EU is examining new sanctions and said it's 'imperative' that Israel transfer money owed to the Palestinians, and allow the delivery of food and other aid to Gaza.
She said the EU has been a long-term partner promoting reforms of the Palestinian Authority and welcomed the recent announcement of presidential and general elections within a year across the Palestinian territories. 'We are keeping the Palestinian Authority from financial collapse,' she said, underscoring that the EU is supporting it with 161.6 billion euros ($187.3 billion) for the next three years.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the two-state solution on both nationalistic and security grounds. The US has echoed that sentiment and on Monday called the conference 'unproductive and ill-timed.' 'The US will not participate in this insult but will continue to lead real-world efforts to end the fighting and deliver a permanent peace,' State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
'Our focus remains on serious diplomacy: not stage-managed conferences designed to manufacture the appearance of relevance.' Ahead of the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize Palestine as a state at the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly in September. The bold but mostly symbolic move is aimed at adding diplomatic pressure on Israel.
France is now the biggest Western power and the only member of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations to recognize the state of Palestine, and the move could pave the way for other countries to do the same. More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state, including more than a dozen in Europe.
At the conference opening, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa called for all countries that have not yet recognized Palestine as a state to do so 'without delay.' 'The path to peace begins by recognizing the state of Palestine and preserving it from destruction,' he said.
The other issue being discussed at the conference is normalization between Israel and the Arab states in the region. Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi foreign minister, stressed that normalization of relations with Israel 'can only come through the establishment of a Palestinian state.'
With global anger rising over desperately hungry people in Gaza starting to die from starvation, US President Donald Trump on Monday called for increasing aid to Palestinians, a rare glimpse of daylight between him and Netanyahu, who has said there is no starvation.
Both Barrot and Farhan said Monday that the US is an essential actor in the region and that it was the American president in January who secured the only ceasefire in the 21-month war.
'I am firmly in the belief that Trump's engagement can be a catalyst for an end to the immediate crisis in Gaza and potentially a resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the long term,' Farhan said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Morocco marks Throne Day, touts strategic momentum with Korea
Morocco on Wednesday touted strategic momentum in its bilateral ties with South Korea as it marked Throne Day, commemorating the 26th anniversary of King Mohammed VI succeeding his father, King Hassan II. Speaking at a commemorative event, Moroccan Ambassador to Korea Chafik Rachadi hailed his country's macroeconomic stability, a 55 percent rise in foreign direct investment in 2024, and the emergence of Morocco as Africa's largest car producer and a major player in the aerospace industry. 'Over 40 percent of our electricity comes from renewables, and Morocco is investing heavily in solar, wind and green hydrogen projects, aiming to reach 52 percent renewable capacity by 2030,' said Rachadi. He noted the expansion of Moroccan-Korean ties, recalling that Korea's first African embassy was established in Morocco and highlighting Morocco's support for South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War. Rachadi also paid special tribute to the two Moroccan soldiers who were killed during the war. According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the two Moroccan soldiers were Mohamed El Asry, who died from chest wounds near Wonju in March 1951, and Julien Djian, who was killed in action in July 1953, shortly before the signing of the Armistice Agreement. They were among the Moroccan soldiers who first arrived in Korea as part of the volunteer section of the French Battalion under the UN, deployed to support South Korea, according to the Moroccan Embassy in Seoul. 'Two of those heroes are now peacefully resting in the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, a dignified reminder of the human connections,' said Rachadi. The ambassador's residence in Seoul has two mugunghwa trees, Korea's national flower, planted in their honor. Seoul and Rabat established diplomatic relations in July 1962. The ambassador also pointed to the April 2025 launch of negotiations for the Morocco-Korea Economic Partnership Agreement and joint preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, citing these efforts as broader strategic momentum. He thanked Chung Keeyong, Korea's ambassador and deputy minister for climate change, who was recently honored by the King of Morocco with the Order of Wissam Alaouite at the rank of Commander. Chung's contribution included the identification of Moroccan war veterans and the publication of a book titled 'Morocco-Korea: Blood Brothers.' 'We were also able to identify 16 additional Moroccan soldiers, bringing the known total to 24 ... so that Korea may express its enduring gratitude — not only in archives but through human connection,' said Chung in his remarks. Reflecting on meeting one of the veterans' daughters, Chung said, 'Her father's sacrifice is not forgotten but cherished. 'Their courage, offered in a time of Korea's greatest need, has forever linked our nations — not just as partners, but as 'freres de sang,'" he said. Freres de sang is French for "blood brothers." As examples of momentum, Chung cited Korea's solidarity during Morocco's 1975 Green March, uncovered through archival research; joint initiatives such as $100 million in development aid; a reforestation project in Ouarzazate; green hydrogen programs; and a $1.5 billion electric train deal. The Green March is seen as a landmark moment in Morocco's recent history toward securing the Kingdom's territorial integrity. The demonstration paved the way for the Madrid Accords signed on November 14, 1975, which formally ended nearly 100 years of Spanish control over the region. Chung also noted that Morocco's gross domestic product has nearly tripled, and its 2017 return to the African Union and 2022 ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area have reinforced its role as a bridge between Africa, Europe and the Arab world. 'From the trenches of the Korean War to the sands of the Green March ... Morocco and Korea have always shown up for each other,' concluded Chung. sanjaykumar@
Korea Herald
8 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Canada intends to recognize Palestinian state in September
Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at a meeting of the UN in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Wednesday, adding more pressure on the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens. The announcement came after France said last week it would recognize a Palestinian state, and a day after Britain said it would recognize the state at the UN if the fighting in Gaza, part of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, had not stopped by then. "We are working ourselves with others, to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution, to not allow the facts on the ground, deaths on the ground, the settlements on the ground, the expropriations on the ground, to get to such an extent that this is not possible," Carney said. He told reporters the planned move was predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforms, including commitments to reform its governance and to hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas "can play no part." The announcements by some of Israel's closest allies reflect the growing international outrage over the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A global hunger monitor has warned that a worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding in the enclave. The Gaza Health Ministry reported seven more hunger-related deaths on Wednesday, including a two-year-old girl with an existing health condition. The Hamas-run government media office in Gaza said the Israeli military killed at least 50 people within three hours on Wednesday as they tried to get food from UN aid trucks coming into the northern Gaza Strip. "Israel rejects the statement by the Prime Minister of Canada," said Israel's Foreign Ministry in a statement. "The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages." A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 'As the president stated, he would be rewarding Hamas if he recognizes a Palestinian state, and he doesn't think they should be rewarded. So he is not going to do that. President Trump's focus is on getting people fed (in Gaza).' The official did not respond to a question on whether the US was given advance notice of Carney's announcement. US special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Israel on Thursday to discuss the next steps to address the situation in Gaza, a US official said. US President Donald Trump said earlier this week he expects centers to be set up in order to feed more people in the enclave. Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli security cabinet member Zeev Elkin said Israel could threaten to annex parts of Gaza to increase pressure on Hamas, an idea that would deal a blow to Palestinian hopes of statehood on land Israel now occupies. Accusing Hamas of trying to drag out ceasefire talks to gain Israeli concessions, Elkin told public broadcaster Kan that Israel may give the group an ultimatum to reach a deal before further expanding its military actions. "The most painful thing for our enemy is losing lands," he said. "A clarification to Hamas that the moment they play games with us they will lose land that they will never get back would be a significant pressure tool." Mediation efforts aimed at reaching a deal that would secure a 60-day ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas ground to a halt last week, with the sides trading blame for the impasse. Though recognition of a Palestinian state is largely seen as a symbolic move, Gazan man Saed al-Akhras said he hoped it marked a "real shift in how Western countries view the Palestinian cause." "Enough! Palestinians have lived for more than 70 years under killing, destruction, and occupation, while the world watches in silence," he said. Families of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza appealed for no recognition of a Palestinian state to come before their loved ones were returned. "Such recognition is not a step toward peace, but rather a clear violation of international law and a dangerous moral and political failure that legitimises horrific war crimes," the Hostages Family Forum said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said Britain's decision "rewards Hamas' monstrous terrorism." Israel made similar comments last week after France's announcement. Two Hamas officials did not respond to requests for comment on the demand for the group to hand its weapons to the PA, which now has limited control of parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Hamas has previously rejected calls to disarm, while Israel has ruled out letting the PA run Gaza. Netanyahu said this month he wanted peace with Palestinians but described any future independent state as a potential platform to destroy Israel, so control of security must remain with Israel. His cabinet includes far-right figures who openly demand the annexation of all Palestinian land. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Tuesday that reestablishing Jewish settlements in Gaza was "closer than ever," calling Gaza "an inseparable part of the Land of Israel." A 2-year-old girl being treated for a build-up of brain fluid died overnight of hunger, her father told Reuters on Wednesday. "Mekkah, my little daughter, died of malnutrition and the lack of medication," Salah al-Gharably said by phone from Deir Al-Balah. "Doctors said the baby has to be fed a certain type of milk... but there is no milk," he said. "She starved. We stood helpless." The deaths from starvation and malnutrition overnight raised the toll from such causes to 154, including at least 89 children, since the war's start, most in recent weeks. Israel said on Sunday it would halt military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and designate secure routes for convoys delivering food and medicine. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the United Nations and its partners had been able to bring more food into Gaza in the first two days of pauses, but the volume was "still far from enough." The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked communities in southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 251 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 60,000 people and laid waste to much of the territory, the Gaza Health Ministry says. (Reuters)
![[Wang Son-taek] Subtler signals in Kim Yo-jong's statement](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F07%2F30%2Fnews-p.v1.20250730.2c2d33bd915942019f0c00df6e49d4d4_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
15 hours ago
- Korea Herald
[Wang Son-taek] Subtler signals in Kim Yo-jong's statement
On Monday and Tuesday, Kim Yo-jong, deputy director of the North Korean Workers' Party and sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued statements filled with strong and resolute language targeting both South Korea and the United States. She declared that, regarding South Korea, 'We have completely exited the era of perceiving them as compatriots,' and told the US, 'Contact between North Korea and the US is only America's wish.' At first glance, these remarks might suggest that North Korea is maintaining a hardline policy stance toward both Seoul and Washington. However, taking these statements at face value would be a misjudgment. There exist dual contexts beneath the content; the form itself cannot simply be evaluated as entirely hardline. Notably, these statements were made voluntarily by North Korea at a moment when there was neither an external provocation nor any signs of internal turmoil. Typically, North Korea issues such pronouncements in response to external military stimuli or in reaction to strong diplomatic pressures. This time, however, the remarks seem to be reacting instead to conciliatory gestures from South Korea and the US. Thus, the real purpose of these statements is not merely to reaffirm their stance, but also to deny the possibility of dialogue outright. Rather, they are preemptively setting the parameters for future bilateral or multilateral relations and making their own political and security conditions explicitly clear to the outside world. Since taking office on June 4, the Lee Jae Myung administration has pursued multiple initiatives to improve relations with the North: halting loudspeaker broadcasts across the border, banning anti-North Korea leaflets, considering individual tourism programs and working toward normalizing the Ministry of Unification. According to Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, 'The era of tit-for-tat confrontation is over.' Collectively, these moves send an explicit message of a new approach, differing significantly from the previous administration. While Kim Yo-jong dismissed these changes as 'not even worth evaluating,' the fact that she addressed each measure in detail is notable. Had they truly been meaningless, she would not have taken the effort to include them in a formal statement. Some experts interpret these comments as North Korea making clear that it has no interest whatsoever in resuming dialogue with the South. However, such an interpretation may be overly hasty and insufficiently nuanced. A closer reading of Kim's wording reveals that Pyongyang has been closely monitoring recent policy moves and messages from both Seoul and Washington. Her reference to the Lee administration's assessment of the past few years as 'the worst or most foolish of times' expresses agreement that the administration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol had taken a hardline stance toward North Korea. The North is closely watching how the new government in Seoul seeks to adjust the preconditions for inter-Korean relations and, rather than seeking a full severance, is likely signaling an 'indirect response' and a readiness to seize initiative if dialogue does eventually occur under favorable circumstances. The message toward the United States is strong, but more proactive in signaling compared to the one directed at South Korea. Kim Yo-jong brushed off dialogue efforts made by the Trump administration as 'nothing but an American wish,' yet repeatedly expressed positive assessments of President Trump and his administration, saying things such as 'It would be better to explore new approaches,' 'A confrontation between two nuclear states benefits no one,' and 'The personal relationship between the leaders is not bad.' While they remain unwilling to engage in another round of talks targeting 'denuclearization,' they hint at the possibility of new contact if the US acknowledges North Korea as a de facto nuclear state. In this latest statement, North Korea defines itself as an 'irreversible nuclear power' and firmly declares it will not enter negotiations that do not recognize this status. Yet, by stating, 'We are open to any option,' they leave open the possibility that the door to dialogue with the US is not completely closed — so long as new terms and approaches are genuinely on the table. This careful and conditional strategy reflects lessons learned from previous talks and signifies a potential 'reset,' not a complete rupture. It illustrates a calibrated posture designed to manage both risk and opportunity. It is difficult to decipher North Korea's true intentions. Pyongyang often acts unpredictably and is accustomed to using deliberately ambiguous and layered language. Prudence and a reserved attitude are therefore needed when predicting its next steps. But to dismiss this statement as a mere declaration of permanent severance — and any efforts to resume dialogue as mere wishful thinking, as North Korea might cynically claim — could be a grave diplomatic silliness. Rather, we must seriously consider the possibility that these signals are part of a broader effort by Pyongyang to reconfigure its external relationships when favorable conditions come. Saving face and maintaining dignity are essential pillars of North Korean diplomatic language and its foreign policy psychology. Given this, while the statement appears harsh and aggressive, it may not be intended as a total and final rejection of all diplomatic contact. North Korea continues to emphasize its position as a rule-setter in diplomatic negotiations and signals that contact is still possible — as long as it takes place within its preferred and carefully calibrated framework. That kind of approach might provide a possible reason for North Korea to join dialogues, and South Korea and the US can determine the scenario. In summary, Kim Yo-jong's statement loudly declares a break, but it also includes efforts to monitor counterpart reactions, control diplomatic framing and set preconditions. What is needed now is not to fixate solely on North Korea's abrasive wording, but to carefully analyze the multiple meanings embedded within. Interpreting why, when and in what context this statement was made is also crucial for effective policymaking. Sometimes, what North Korea does not say is far more significant than what it does. This latest statement offers a textbook case in that regard.
