The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, stated this Friday that in his government they are “determined” to recognize Palestine, an issue that will be on the table in the coming days in a meeting at the United Nations on the two-state solution to try to resolve the conflict with Israel.
From June 17th to 20th, an international conference is being held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, on the solution to the conflict based on the idea of the two states: Israel and Palestine.
In April, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, announced that he hoped to recognize Palestine as a state in June.
Why does France support the idea of a Palestinian state?
“We are determined, on the occasion of the conference that will be held in a few days in New York, to bring together several countries, all stakeholders, and in particular the Palestinian Authority and the Arab countries of the region, to commit to removing all obstacles that prevent the creation and existence of the State of Palestine,” Barrot said in an interview with RTL radio.
A type of recognition of Palestine through a collective action would go beyond mere symbolism, according to the French minister: “We have a special responsibility. This concerns France, a permanent member of the Security Council.”
“If we do it, it is to change things and make the existence of this State of Palestine more credible, more possible,” insisted the head of French diplomacy.
France’s stance clashes with that of other European countries, such as Germany, which in the last few hours stated that the recognition of Palestine “would send the wrong signal” and that negotiations for a ceasefire must be concluded first.