NGOCSTIP – The Palestinians have become the center of global attention after France made a landmark decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state. The announcement, made by French President Emmanuel Macron at the UN General Assembly in New York, signals a dramatic shift in international policy. Macron emphasized the urgency for peace and declared that nothing could justify the ongoing war in Gaza. His speech comes as the region faces one of the most severe humanitarian crises in modern history. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at the same assembly and is expected to respond to France’s move. As international leaders gather, including those from Jordan and Qatar, the focus is firmly on the future of the Palestinians and the path toward lasting peace.
Countries around the world continue to show increasing support for the Palestinians and criticize Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and San Marino plan to join France in recognizing Palestinian statehood soon. The UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal also declared their recognition of a Palestinian state in recent announcements. Germany and Italy skipped a key summit in Paris focused on a two-state solution for the region. France and Saudi Arabia hosted the summit to push forward international consensus on peace and statehood. Israel claims that recognizing Palestine would reward Hamas for its deadly 7 October 2023 assault. Israeli offensives have reportedly killed more than 65000 Palestinians since the attack occurred last year. Trump plans to deliver a US stance on the matter, possibly opposing recent international support for the Palestinians.
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Macron used his speech at the UN to highlight the failure of the international community to bring about a just and lasting peace. He emphasized the urgency of ending hostilities and freeing Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Macron underlined that the only viable path to peace is through the creation of two states living side by side. The Palestinians, he argued, deserve a secure and recognized homeland. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas echoed this sentiment via a video address, as he was unable to attend in person due to a US visa revocation. Abbas called for a permanent ceasefire and insisted that Hamas must disarm and allow the Palestinian Authority to take charge. His statements highlighted the need for unity among the Palestinians and a clear path toward governance and peace.
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Global leaders joined the discussion and highlighted the urgent need to rebuild Gaza and promote lasting peace. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister strongly supported a two-state solution as the only path toward long-term regional stability. Ursula von der Leyen introduced a new Palestine Donor Group to support Gaza’s recovery efforts. Antonio Guterres called the crisis both morally and politically intolerable during his address to the United Nations. He emphasized that lasting peace requires a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. Israeli officials rejected international proposals that support the formation of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River. Their stance clashes with the growing global support for Palestinian recognition and statehood. Despite Israeli resistance, many countries continue to push for recognition and justice for the Palestinians.
The recognition of the Palestinians has triggered various public and political responses. In France, both the Palestinian and Israeli flags were displayed on the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing a call for peace. Town halls across France also flew Palestinian flags, despite official orders to remain neutral. In Italy, pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place in nearly 80 towns and cities. The Italian government, however, has expressed concerns that recognizing Palestine at this stage may be counterproductive. Germany’s position remains cautious, with officials stating that recognition should come at the end of a process, not its beginning. Meanwhile, Trump prepares to take the stage at the UN, with the world watching to see whether his words will support or challenge this growing international movement to acknowledge the Palestinians.
This article is sourced from www.bbc.com and for more details you can read at ngocstip.org
Writer: Sarah Azhari
Editor: Anisa