France Urges EU to Pressure Israel for Palestinian Two-State Solution

In a recent diplomatic push, France has called on the European Union (EU) to exert pressure on Israel to agree to a two-state solution with the Palestinians, emphasizing the urgency of resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot made these remarks during a high-level United Nations meeting, which was co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, asserting that the time for a political solution is now.

Barrot stated to reporters, "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." This statement underscores France's commitment to promoting dialogue and finding a resolution amidst rising tensions and international condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza.

The UN conference, which was initially scheduled for June but postponed, is attended by representatives from 125 countries, including 50 ministers. Its primary objective is to reaffirm the viability of the two-state solution, which has long been recognized as the only pathway to achieve lasting peace and security in the region.

In conjunction with this diplomatic initiative, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will recognize Palestine as a state during the upcoming UN General Assembly. This step positions France as the foremost Western power to take such action, potentially influencing other nations to follow suit. Currently, over 140 countries have recognized Palestinian statehood, with more than a dozen in Europe.

At the conference, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa urged nations that have not yet recognized Palestine to do so promptly, stating, "The path to peace begins by recognizing the state of Palestine and preserving it from destruction." He highlighted the critical need for international support to stabilize Palestine amid the ongoing conflict.

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently rejected the two-state solution, citing nationalistic and security concerns, a sentiment echoed by the United States, which did not participate in the conference, labeling it "unproductive and ill-timed."

The U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce remarked, "Our focus remains on serious diplomacy, not stage-managed conferences designed to manufacture the appearance of relevance." This reflects a broader skepticism regarding the effectiveness of such diplomatic gatherings in achieving real progress toward peace.

During the conference, discussions also included the normalization of relations between Israel and various Arab states. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized that such normalization is contingent upon the establishment of a Palestinian state, highlighting the interconnectedness of regional diplomacy.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalates, with reports of severe food shortages and rising casualties, global leaders face mounting pressure to address the dire conditions. The situation has prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to advocate for increased aid to Palestinians, marking a rare divergence from Netanyahu's position, which downplays the severity of the humanitarian crisis.

Both Barrot and Farhan expressed the belief that U.S. involvement is crucial for facilitating a ceasefire and fostering negotiations that could lead to a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The outcome of this conference and France's proactive stance could significantly influence future diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving peace in the region.