French President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated his support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, backing the recognition of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.
During a state visit to Indonesia, Macron emphasized that only a political solution could bring lasting peace to the region, stating, "Together with Saudi Arabia, we will soon organize a conference on Gaza in New York to revitalize efforts for the recognition of both a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, and its right to live in peace and security."
How signifcant is this moment?
Macron’s comments mark a significant political moment, as France continues to lead calls for Palestinian statehood. The French president has been working to encourage other European nations, such as the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium, to join this effort. This diplomatic push is expected to culminate at a United Nations conference next month. A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently announced that the UK is ready to collaborate with allies to "support the foundations of Palestinian statehood." Should this move succeed, the UK and France would become the first G7 nations to recognize Palestine as a state.
Currently, Palestine is recognized by 140 UN member states, including countries like Norway, Spain, and Ireland, which voiced their support last year. However, there are concerns about whether recognizing Palestine could inadvertently legitimize the militant group Hamas, which governs Gaza.
The context
The context for this renewed push is the ongoing conflict that began with the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Israel has demanded the release of all hostages, but as of now, only 20 of the 57 still held are believed to be alive. According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, at least 53,939 people, including 16,500 children, have been killed in the region since the attack.
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