Speaking via videoconference, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the historic New York Declaration “marked the beginning of an irreversible path toward ending the humanitarian catastrophe and ending occupation,” calling it “the embodiment of an independent State of Palestine.”
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) — France, Belgium and several other countries on Monday joined the growing list of nations that have recognized the State of Palestine, during a high-level UN meeting on the two-state solution.
“Today, France recognizes the State of Palestine,” French President Emmanuel Macron said at the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia on the opening day of the UN General Assembly (UNGA)’s High-level Week.
Warning that “We have reason to fear that the Abraham Accords and the Camp David Accords could be called into question by Israel, and that peace would become impossible for a long time yet in the Middle East,” Macron stressed the need to do everything “within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution — Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.”
Malta, Monaco and Luxembourg also announced their recognition at the meeting, bringing the number of countries to over 150 that have announced their recognition of the State of Palestine.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the two-state solution “is the only way to achieve a just and permanent peace.”
The recognition of the State of Palestine by France and many other countries, as well as the broad support for the adoption of the New York Declaration, reflects the international community’s will to “render justice to the Palestinian people and consider their legal historic right” in line with international frameworks, UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, he said.
Speaking via videoconference, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the historic New York Declaration “marked the beginning of an irreversible path toward ending the humanitarian catastrophe and ending occupation,” calling it “the embodiment of an independent State of Palestine.”
He expressed appreciation to all countries that have recognized the State of Palestine and called on those who have not yet done so to follow suit. Noting Palestine’s readiness to work with the United States, Saudi Arabia, France, the United Nations and all partners to implement the peace plan adopted at the conference, Abbas called on Israel to immediately sit at the negotiating table “to put an end to this bloodshed and bring about a just and comprehensive peace.”
In his remarks at the conference, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict “has gone unresolved for generations.”
He noted that “dialogue has faltered. Resolutions have been flouted. International law has been breached,” warning that “the situation is intolerable, and it is deteriorating by the hour.”
“We are here today to help navigate the only way out of this nightmare: A two-state solution, where two independent, sovereign, democratic states — Israel and Palestine — live side-by-side in peace and security within their secure and recognized borders on the basis of pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states — in line with international law, UN resolutions and other relevant agreements,” said Guterres.
Annalena Baerbock, president of the 80th UNGA session, said the General Assembly has been very clear: “We need an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Israel must immediately facilitate the full, rapid, safe and unhindered entry and delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians. Hamas must immediately and unconditionally release all hostages.”
She emphasized that the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be resolved by endless war, permanent occupation and recurrent terror, adding that the only way to ensure that future generations of both Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace, security and dignity is the two-state solution.
On Sunday, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized the State of Palestine to push for a two-state solution, as Israel presses ahead with its military offensive in the Gaza Strip and annexation in the West Bank despite mounting global condemnation. ■
