Latest news with #PalestinianStatehood
Arab News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan deputy PM in New York for UN conference on Palestine, multilateral meetings
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in New York on Monday to attend a United Nations conference to discuss Palestinian statehood and hold multilateral meetings in the city, the foreign office said. The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution is being co-chaired and organized by Saudi Arabia and France. The event, convened by the UN General Assembly, will take place at the UN headquarters in New York on July 28. The aim is the urgent adoption of concrete measures that will lead to the implementation of a two-state solution and end decades of conflict in the Middle East. 'Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, arrived in New York for an official visit from 21 to 28 July 2025,' the Pakistani foreign office said. The statement said Dar would lead 'high-level signature events' under Pakistan's presidency of the UN Security Council and hold bilateral and multilateral meetings in New York and Washington during his stay. 'And represent Pakistan at the International Conference on the Two-State Solution, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia & France,' the foreign office added. Pakistan has consistently supported Palestinian statehood and called for an end to Israeli occupation in various multilateral forums. Israel has killed nearly 59,000 Palestinians since October 2023 in Gaza, triggering anger and outrage from countries around the world who have called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. Islamabad has demanded an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and for Israel to allow access to food and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
Leaders
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
UN Two-State Solution Conference Rescheduled for Late July
The UN conference on Palestinian Statehood and implementing the two-state solution has been set for July 28-29, 2025, the AFP reported citing diplomatic sources. The conference, which Saudi Arabia and France will jointly chair, was originally scheduled in mid-June but postponed against the backdrop of the Iran-Israel conflict. It aims to chart a roadmap for a Palestinian State while guaranteeing Israel's security, in a bid to resolve the decades-old conflict. New Date The International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution will take place on July 28-29, 2025, at the UN headquarters in New York, under the joint chairmanship of Saudi Arabia and France. The conference was originally set for June 17-20, and expected the attendance of heads of states and governments. The diplomatic sources who spoke to AFP could not provide details on any changes to the conference's agenda or level of attending representatives. Conference Postponement On June 13, Israel launched a military operation against Iran and the two countries engaged in military assaults for 12 days amid fears of an all-out regional war. As a result, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, announced the postponement of the UN conference for the two-state solution for 'logistical and security reasons.' However, Macron stressed that this delay did not 'call into question our determination to move forward with the implementation of the two-state solution.' Mobilizing Support for Two-State Solution Saudi Arabia and France have called for the international conference to advance peace and implement the two-state solution, in a bid to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In December 2024, the French President announced during a visit to Saudi Arabia, that he and the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, would co-chair a conference in June 2025 focused on establishing a Palestinian state. In April, Macron unveiled that France plans to recognize Palestine in June. 'Our goal is to chair this conference with Saudi Arabia in June. We aim to finalize reciprocal recognition by several countries,' the French President said following his visit to Egypt. The international conference for the two-state solution is a bid to 'trigger a series of other recognitions,' according to Macron. It aims to encourage more states to recognize the State of Palestine. Currently, around 150 countries officially recognize Palestine, which holds a non-member observer status at the UN General Assembly since November 2012. Owing to intense diplomatic efforts, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, more countries are recognizing Palestine, including most recently Spain, Norway and Ireland. France's Stance on Palestine Macron is expected to announce France's recognition of the State of Palestine during the conference. During a recent visit to the UK, Macron stressed his support for the two-state solution and urged for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, according to the Independent. Addressing the UK parliament, the French President said: 'We are aware that the political way out is crucial, and I believe in the future of the two-state solution as a basis for regional security architecture, which will enable Israel to live in peace and security alongside its neighbors.' Moreover, Macron urged for a joint recognition by France and Britain of a Palestinian State, calling the move 'the only path to peace' in the region. Speaking at a joint press conference with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, in London, Macron emphasized the need for ramping up efforts to advance the two-state solution to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, according to Arab News. 'I believe in the future of the two-state solution, and in the need to unify our voices in Paris, London and beyond to recognize the State of Palestine and launch this political dynamic that alone can lead to a horizon of peace,' he said. UK Considers Recognition The British Prime Minister stressed the UK's commitment to a 'just political settlement of the Palestinian issue,' highlighting the importance of international support for the Palestinian people and the need for stability in the region. In a joint declaration, the leaders of the UK and France reaffirmed their commitment to pushing for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and recognizing Palestine. 'We reaffirm our commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state, as a contribution to a peace process. We will work together to support its development and the realization of a Two-State Solution,' they said. The UK has been considering the official recognition of a Palestinian State, holding talks with Saudi Arabia and France on this matter. The British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said that he wanted to see 'change on the ground,' referring to a ceasefire in Gaza, according to the Independent. Lammy said he 'would prefer it was part of the process' and that he believed 'our French colleagues are also waiting to see if there is, in fact, a ceasefire in the next few days' to initiate a process and that the British government remained 'completely committed' to recognition. US Opposes Conference The recognition of Palestine by France and the UK – two permanent UN Security Council Members – will add weight to the list of states recognizing Palestine. It will also be the first by G7 member states. However, the US has tried to discourage governments from attending the conference. On June 10, the Trump administration sent a cable to countries warning them of 'diplomatic consequences' if they take 'anti-Israel actions,' Reuters reported at the time. 'We are urging governments not to participate in the conference, which we view as counterproductive to ongoing, lifesaving efforts to end the war in Gaza and free hostages,' the cable said. 'The US opposes any steps that would unilaterally recognize a conjectural Palestinian state, which adds significant legal and political obstacles to the eventual resolution of the conflict and could coerce Israel during a war, thereby supporting its enemies,' it added. Short link : Post Views: 59
Arab News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Postponed Saudi-Franco conference on Palestinian statehood rescheduled
NEW YORK: A postponed Saudi-Franco conference to discuss Palestinian statehood has been rescheduled for July 28 to 29, it was announced on Friday. 'The two state solution ministerial conference will resume on the 28th and 29th July 2025, details will be shared shortly,' diplomats at the French UN mission confirmed to Arab News. Originally scheduled for June, it was postponed when Israel launched a military attack on Iran.
Arab News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
French president calls for joint recognition of Palestinian state by France and UK
LONDON: French President Emmanuel Macron has urged his country and the UK to jointly recognize Palestinian statehood, describing it as 'the only path to peace.' Speaking during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, Macron stressed the urgent need for efforts to advance a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. 'I believe in the future of the two-state solution, and in the need to unify our voices in Paris, London and beyond to recognize the State of Palestine and launch this political dynamic that alone can lead to a horizon of peace,' Macron said. Starmer reaffirmed the UK's commitment to a just political settlement of the Palestinian issue, and highlighted the importance of international support for the Palestinian people and the need for stability in the region. Macron concluded on Thursday a three-day state visit to the UK. It was the first such visit by a French statesman since 2008, and the first by an EU leader since Brexit in 2020. On Wednesday, the Palestinian Authority welcomed comments by Macron during his speech to the British Parliament in which he affirmed the position of France on recognition of a Palestinian state as a way to help ensure stability in the Middle East. Organizers of an international conference to garner support for Palestinian national independence, planned for mid-June and sponsored by Saudi Arabia and France, had to postpone the event because of the outbreak on June 13 of war between Iran and Israel. In recent weeks, several members of Parliament belonging to Starmer's ruling Labour Party have called on his government to officially recognize a Palestinian state and join with France in doing so.
National Post
10-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Canada recognizing Palestinian statehood right now would be a 'grave mistake': Israel
The embassy of Israel to Canada says that recognizing Palestinian statehood 'at this time' would be a 'grave mistake.' Article content 'Such a step would amount to an unconscionable reward for the heinous Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 — an attack marked by mass murder and the brutal kidnapping of innocent civilians, including Canadian citizens,' it said in an emailed statement to National Post on Wednesday. Article content Article content Article content 'Rather than advancing peace, it would legitimize violence and severely undermine international efforts to restore stability and security in the region.' Article content Article content The statement comes after chief representative of the Palestinian General Delegation to Canada Mona Abuamara told The Canadian Press she feels that Canada is getting closer to formally recognizing Palestinian statehood. In an article published on Wednesday, she said the recognition would 'set in stone for Canadians the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination.' Article content Abuamara has been in the role, which is to promote and strengthen relations between Palestinians and Canada, since 2021. It is coming to an end after her four-year term. She was appointed by a government that only has control of the West Bank, not the Gaza Strip, CP said. She is still pushing for Canada to take a harsher stance on Israel's actions in Gaza, and has commended Canada for its recent use of 'tougher language.' Article content Article content 'Accountability means everything to the Palestinian people. That's all we are looking for,' said Abuamara. 'Canada could have done better and must do better.' Article content Article content Canada's approach to the conflict in recent years has been to support Israel 'without budging,' she said. Meanwhile, the Palestinian territories received funding for smaller projects, such as police training. The mentality was that the Palestinian territories would be 'managed under the occupation,' she said, adding that she was looking to Canada to 'get rid of that occupation instead, so we could make our own money.' Israel maintains that it withdrew from Gaza in 2005. Article content Abuamara praised the Carney government for making 'stronger, clearer statements,' and mentioned comments made by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. Speaking to reporters in May, Anand said Israel used food as a political tool and that more than 50,000 people have died as a result of Israel's 'aggression.' That number, which cannot be independently verified, was provided by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
