Saudi Arabia and France opened a three-day conference at the United Nations on Monday, aiming to press for recognition of Palestinian statehood as part of a peaceful settlement to end the war in Gaza. Ministers and diplomats from more than a dozen countries gathered in New York, with the talks co-chaired by 16 other governments and delegations, including the United Kingdom, Ireland and the European Union.
France's foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, said the conference would serve as a platform for other European nations to recognise Palestine. He insisted that a two-state solution was the only way forward, declaring: “Only a political, two-state solution will help respond to the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. There is no alternative.” His remarks came days after President Emmanuel Macron said France would formally recognise a Palestinian government in September.
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, said the kingdom was seeking World Bank approval to transfer $300m to Gaza and the West Bank, citing a “dire humanitarian crisis”. He reaffirmed Palestinians’ “legitimate right” to an independent state along 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. “This is not merely a political stance, but a firm conviction that an independent Palestinian state is the true key to peace in the region,” he said.
The conference intensifies pressure on the UK, which does not currently recognise Palestine. More than 220 MPs, a third of parliament, signed a letter to Sir Keir Starmer urging him to act. Government sources have indicated that formal recognition under Labour is a matter of “when, not if”. Starmer has recalled his cabinet for an emergency meeting on Gaza this week and, at a meeting with Donald Trump at his Turnberry resort, said pressure on Israel was necessary because the situation was “absolutely a humanitarian catastrophe”.
Israel criticised the conference, with its ambassador to the UN, Danny Damon, saying it “deepens the illusion” by failing to demand hostage release and dismantling Hamas. The US echoed that sentiment. The meeting also follows allegations by Israeli human rights groups B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, which western allies have a legal duty to stop.
