Latest news with #two-state solution
The Guardian
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Macron not expected at UN summit on two-state solution for Palestine and Israel
A UN summit on a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel – postponed by the Israel-Iran war – has been rescheduled for 28 and 29 July, but it is not expected that the French president, Emmanuel Macron, will attend, making it less likely that it will trigger a series of high-profile announcements on recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron, who last week told UK parliamentarians a two-state solution was 'the only way to build peace and stability for all in the whole region', has been trying to build momentum for recognition of a state of Palestine by a wide group of countries, but the lack of movement in ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel is making such decisions more complex. Israel and the US both oppose recognition of a Palestinian state, and have been advising UN delegations not to attend the UN conference in New York. Israel has said that recognition would be seen as a reward for Hamas terrorism. The conference originally slated for June was postponed when the Israeli attack on Iran created a security crisis across the Middle East. The conference has a set of working parties that are designed to ease the path to a two-state solution, including plans for future Palestinian governance, economic renewal and challenging the narratives of hate. French sources insisted decisions on recognition had not been made, and a subsequent event in Paris would provide the platform. Recognition was discussed last week at the Anglo-French summit, where Macron made two public appeals without setting a timetable. Macron called for recognition in his speech to UK parliamentarians and in his closing press conference. 'With Gaza in ruin and the West Bank being attacked on a daily basis, the perspective of a Palestinian state has never been put at risk as it is,' he told MPs. 'And this is why this solution of the two states and the recognition of the state of Palestine is … the only way to build peace and stability for all in the whole region.' The joint declaration issued by Macron and the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, simply reaffirmed their commitment to 'recognising a Palestinian state, as a contribution to a peace process'. And they pledged to 'work together to support its development and the realisation of a two-state solution'. Le Monde reported at the weekend that neither Macron nor the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, would attend the UN conference, and that the summit would instead be led by foreign ministers. That does not preclude Macron making his long-trailed announcement at a different point. The French preference has been to make the historic recognition announcement jointly with the UK, and possibly Canada. Speaking about the issue at length to parliament's foreign affairs select committee, the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, referred to the country's role in shaping the Middle East through the Balfour declaration, saying: 'I would prefer that the United Kingdom is part of a process, particularly if you look at the history, including our relationship with Balfour and the two communities that were effectively brought together at the birth of the Israeli state.' He added: 'A ceasefire might be the beginning of a process, and I suspect that our French colleagues are also waiting to see whether there is a ceasefire in the next few days. That would be the beginning of something, particularly if it is a permanent ceasefire and not a pause.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Lammy said the decisions of some European countries to recently recognise a Palestinian state had not led to changes on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza, but he admitted it was a judgment call and said he had some sympathy with those who argued that the pace of building Israeli settlements on the West Bank was putting the existence of a Palestinian state in question. He stressed he did not see a wider normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel taking place unless Israel made some concession on the recognition of Palestine. 'From my conversations with the Saudis and the Saudi foreign minister, normalisation will be impossible to achieve until there is a ceasefire and unless there is tangible progress on two states. Frankly, I commend my Saudi counterparts for holding true to that,' he told MPs. Separately, foreign ministers from Israel and Palestine are expected to attend a dinner in Brussels on Monday. The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Saar, and his Palestinian counterpart, Varsen Aghabekian, have both confirmed their attendance at an EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting, but it is not clear if they will meet or talk to one another. The aim of the Brussels meeting is to strengthen relations between the EU and its 10 partner countries in the Mediterranean region.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Macron not expected to attend UN summit on two-state solution for Palestine and Israel
A UN summit on a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel – postponed by the Israel-Iran war – has been rescheduled for 28 and 29 July, but it is not expected French president Emmanuel Macron will attend, making it less likely that it will trigger a series of high-profile announcements on recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron, who last week told UK parliamentarians a two-state solution was 'the only way to build peace and stability for all in the whole region', has been trying to build momentum for recognition of a state of Palestine by a wide group of countries, but the a lack of movement in ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel is making such decisions more complex. Both Israel and the US oppose recognition of a Palestinian state, and have been advising UN delegations not to attend the UN conference in New York. Israel has warned recognition would be seen as a reward for Hamas terrorism. The conference originally slated for June was postponed when the Israeli attack on Iran created a security crisis across the Middle East. The conference has a set of working parties that are designed to ease the path to a two-state solution, including plans for future Palestinian governance, economic renewal and challenging the narratives of hate. French sources insisted decisions on recognition had not been made, and a subsequent event in Paris will provide the platform. Recognition was discussed last week at the Anglo-French summit, where Macron made two public appeals without setting a timetable. Macron called for recognition both in his speech to UK parliamentarians and in his closing press conference. 'With Gaza in ruin and the West Bank being attacked on a daily basis, the perspective of a Palestinian state has never been put at risk as it is,' he told MPs. 'And this is why this solution of the two states and the recognition of the state of Palestine is … the only way to build peace and stability for all in the whole region.' The joint declaration issued by Macron and the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, simply reaffirmed their commitment to 'recognising a Palestinian state, as a contribution to a peace process'. And they pledged to 'work together to support its development and the realisation of a two-state solution'. Le Monde reported at the weekend that neither Macron nor the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, will attend the UN conference, but the summit will instead be led by foreign ministers. That does not preclude Macron making his long-trailed announcement at a different point. The French preference has been to make the historic recognition announcement jointly with the UK, and possibly Canada. Speaking about the issue at length to parliament's foreign affairs select committee, the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, referred to the country's role in shaping the Middle East through the Balfour declaration, saying: 'I would prefer that the United Kingdom is part of a process, particularly if you look at the history, including our relationship with Balfour and the two communities that were effectively brought together at the birth of the Israeli state.' He added: 'A ceasefire might be the beginning of a process, and I suspect that our French colleagues are also waiting to see whether there is a ceasefire in the next few days. That would be the beginning of something, particularly if it is a permanent ceasefire and not a pause.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Lammy said the decisions of some European countries to recently recognise a Palestinian state had not led to changes on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza, but he admitted it was a judgment call and said he had some sympathy with those who argued that the pace of building Israeli settlements on the West Bank was putting the existence of a Palestinian state in question. He stressed he did not see a wider normalisation betwen Saudi Arabia and Israel taking place unless Israel made some concession on the recognition of Palestine. 'From my conversations with the Saudis and the Saudi foreign minister, normalisation will be impossible to achieve until there is a ceasefire and unless there is tangible progress on two states. Frankly, I commend my Saudi counterparts for holding true to that,' he told MPs. Separately, foreign ministers from Israel and Palestine are expected to attend a dinner in Brussels on Monday. The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Saar, and his Palestinian counterpart, Varsen Aghabekian, have both confirmed their attendance at an EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting, but it is not clear if they will meet or talk to one another. The aim of the Brussels meeting is to strengthen relations between the EU and its 10 partner countries in the Mediterranean region.
Sky News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Dozens of MPs call for UK government to recognise Palestine as state
Nearly 60 Labour MPs have called on David Lammy and the Foreign Office to immediately recognise Palestine as a state. A mix of centrist and left-wing MPs, including some committee chairs, wrote to the foreign secretary this week to say "by not recognising [Palestine] as a state, we undermine our own policy of a two-state solution and set an expectation that the status quo can continue and see the effective erasure and annexation of Palestinian territory". The 59 MPs suggest the government pursue five different measures to prevent the Israeli government from carrying out its Rafah plan, adding that they believed Gaza was being "ethnically cleansed" - a claim vehemently denied by Israel. The letter was organised by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East group. It states that the Israeli plan, which would see the "population transfer to the southern tip of Gaza in preparation for deportation outside the strip", is an accurate description, but that they believe a clearer way to describe it is the "ethnic cleansing of Gaza". Israeli officials have said they want to separate the civilian population from Hamas, which still controls parts of Gaza and holds dozens of hostages abducted in the October 7 attack that triggered the war 21 months ago. Emmanuel Macron discussed recognising Palestine as a state at a joint news conference with Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday - the same day the letter was signed. The French president said: "Today, working together in order to recognise the state of Palestine and to initiate this political momentum is the only path to peace." While France has not yet recognised a Palestinian state yet, Norway, Ireland and Spain coordinated their recognition last year. The letter demands ministers take five different measures to: • Recognise the state of Palestine • Continue support for the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) • Secure the release of hostages • Press for the full and unhindered resumption of humanitarian aid • Fully review and place restrictions on trade with and financial support of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank The government says it is already providing funding for the UNRWA and working to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, but immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood will be a much more controversial move. Sky News understands this is the second time MPs have formally called on the government to immediately recognise the state of Palestine, with previous letters signed by some parliamentary aides and even junior ministers. Ministers have indicated their plan to recognise Palestine would be "at a time that is most conducive to the peace process" without further clarity of when that might be. They have also indicated that it would not be suitable to speculate about future sanctions, as this could reduce their impact.
The National
3 days ago
- Health
- The National
Palestinian man 'beaten to death' in attack by Israeli settlers
UN two-state solution conference rescheduled for end of month Lebanese President says no normalisation with Israel for now ICRC and Red Crescent members injured by gunfire during evacuation mission Gaza doctors cram babies into incubators as fuel shortage threatens hospitals At least 57,762 Palestinians killed and 137,656 wounded since Gaza war began
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi FM Takes Part in Discussions on Gaza, 2-State Solution in Expanded Madrid Meeting
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Madrid on Saturday to participate in the expanded meeting of the ministerial committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit regarding developments in the Gaza Strip, the Madrid Group, and a number of European countries. The meeting is set to address the ongoing developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, along with international efforts to end the conflict and ease the humanitarian crisis in the region. It will also focus on preparations for the upcoming high-level international conference on the two-state solution, scheduled to take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York this June, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.
