"Nothing Justifies War In Gaza": France Recognises Palestine At UN Event

French President Emmanuel Macron was speaking at the UN conference on a Palestinian two-state solution.

France officially recognized Palestine as an independent state and, alongside Saudi Arabia, co-led a United Nations conference where both nations called for Israel to immediately end hostilities in Gaza.

"One solution exists to break the cycle of war and destruction: acknowledging each other," French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Monday. "We must recognize that Palestinians and Israelis are living in twin solitude," he continued, emphasizing that "nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza."

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, reading a message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who was absent from New York, supported these sentiments. Saudi Arabia, like many other Arab and Muslim-majority countries, had recognized Palestine decades ago.

The joint French-Saudi initiative urging more countries to recognize Palestinian statehood reflects growing international concern about the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the Israel-Hamas conflict has persisted for nearly two years. The war shows little sign of conclusion, with Israel indicating a new ground offensive on Gaza City might continue for several months while Hamas refuses to surrender.

This diplomatic effort also highlights Israel's increasing isolation on the global stage. Apart from the United States, its primary ally, few nations support its continued military campaign. The European Union, Israel's largest trading partner, is considering suspending Israel's preferential trade benefits, despite opposition from some key German politicians.

Israeli stocks have become the world's worst performers in dollar terms over the past two weeks as investors anticipate an even more prolonged and costly conflict.

The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized Palestine on Sunday as part of the French-Saudi event, with Monaco, Luxembourg and Malta following suit on Monday.

These nations join approximately 150 countries that had previously recognized Palestine. Notable exceptions include the United States, Germany, and Japan.

During his UN address, Macron announced that Paris could establish a Palestinian embassy once hostages held by Hamas are released and the war concludes. He also emphasized that countries worldwide must stop questioning Israel's right to exist.

The campaign for Palestinian recognition has faced criticism from US President Donald Trump and from Israel, which argues it essentially rewards Hamas, an organization classified as terrorist by the US, UK, EU and other nations. Both US and Israeli delegates boycotted the conference.

Macron countered that recognition actually represents a "defeat for Hamas," arguing that the group - which seeks Israel's destruction - opposes a two-state solution.

Palestinian officials have described the UN event as providing symbolic support for their aspiration to establish a state in the West Bank and Gaza, territories home to over 5 million people.

Nevertheless, the ongoing Gaza conflict and expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank have severely undermined prospects for Palestinian statehood in the foreseeable future.

"In the short term, the practical impact of the recognitions is likely to be limited," observed Dina Esfandiary, head of Middle East geoeconomics for Bloomberg Economics. "But it could pave the way for more consequential pressure on Israel over the war in Gaza."

Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority which exercises limited governance in the West Bank, addressed the UN via video, expressing gratitude to participants. Abbas and other Palestinian officials were denied US visas.

Abbas stated that Hamas should have no role in future Palestinian governance and reiterated his condemnation of the group's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war.

"What we want is one unified state without weapons," Abbas declared.

Israel firmly opposes Palestinian statehood, claiming it would compromise Israeli security. The Israeli government and most citizens have hardened their stance against a two-state solution since Hamas's assault.

"There will be no Palestinian state," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed on Sunday, characterizing recognition efforts as an "attempt to force upon us a terror state in the heart of our land."

Netanyahu is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Friday and meet with Trump at the White House the following Monday. He indicated he would announce responses to countries recognizing Palestine after these meetings.

Much of the international community has condemned Israel's latest military operations in Gaza City, warning they will cause further suffering among Palestinian civilians. Netanyahu maintains the operation is necessary to force Hamas's surrender and secure the release of all hostages.

Hamas killed 1,200 people in its 2023 attack and abducted another 250. Of those, 48 remain in captivity, with Israel believing 20 are still alive.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, approximately 65,000 people have died in the Gaza conflict. Last month, a UN-backed monitor declared famine conditions in parts of the territory following months of Israeli restrictions on aid and food supplies.