Tue Dec 03 21:31:09 UTC 2024: **France and Saudi Arabia to Co-Chair Conference on Palestinian State**
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced Tuesday a joint initiative to convene a conference in June 2025 aimed at establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel. The conference, to be co-chaired by both leaders, will seek to build international momentum towards a two-state solution.
President Macron stated that the goal is to trigger a wave of recognition of both states, believing this would enhance Israel’s security and demonstrate the viability of the two-state solution. He indicated that France would recognize a Palestinian state at the opportune moment, contingent on reciprocal recognition from other nations. The initiative involves engaging multiple European and non-European partners.
This announcement follows months of shifting dynamics in the region. While Saudi Arabia had previously appeared close to normalizing relations with Israel, contingent on U.S. security guarantees, the October 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent conflict in Gaza significantly altered the landscape. Riyadh has made clear its unwillingness to recognize Israel without a concurrent independent Palestinian state.
The joint conference announcement coincides with a UN General Assembly vote on a similar international conference focused on advancing the two-state solution. The call for a two-state solution has intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war. Earlier this year, Spain, Ireland, and Norway formally recognized a Palestinian state encompassing the Gaza Strip and West Bank, further fueling the international discussion.
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