France and Saudi Arabia launch intensive preparations for the New York conference on the two-state solution.
French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed his commitment to the two-state solution as the sole path to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stating that this solution "has never been more necessary than it is today."
This statement was made during his remarks in Indonesia, where he said: "Only a political solution will make it possible to restore peace and build for the long term. We will soon organize, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia, a conference on Gaza in New York, to give new momentum to recognizing the Palestinian state and acknowledging the state of Israel, and its right to live in peace and security in this region."
In a related context, France and Indonesia called for progress in "mutual recognition" between Israel and the Palestinians during the upcoming international conference to be held in New York between June 17 and 20, with the participation of Saudi Arabia.
A joint statement by both countries stated: "The conference... should revive the political horizon for a peaceful settlement of this conflict, allowing for an irreversible path towards the establishment of a Palestinian state and mutual recognition between Israel and Palestine."
A French diplomatic source revealed to Agence France-Presse concerns in Paris about the deteriorating prospects of the two-state solution, stating: "In this context, it seems to us in France that the two-state solution is more threatened than ever."
The source attributed this to "the destruction in Gaza, and a clear desire, to some extent, by some Israeli leaders to reoccupy this sector and expel at least part of its population," despite the current situation confirming _according to the source_ that this solution "has never been more necessary."
The source added that achieving "full and comprehensive normalization" between Israel and Arab countries during the upcoming conference seems "unlikely," pointing out the obstacles that have prevented a settlement over the past three decades.
France and Saudi Arabia have been intensively preparing for the conference through parallel meetings held in Paris and New York. In the French capital, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian hosted his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, while a similar meeting was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York led by French and Saudi officials.
Manal Radwan, head of the Saudi delegation to the United Nations, emphasized during the meeting that the establishment of a Palestinian state is not "a symbolic gesture, but a strategic necessity" to achieve "regional peace."
The conference comes amid escalating humanitarian deterioration in Gaza, where Israel resumed its wide-scale military operations before allowing limited amounts of humanitarian aid to enter starting last week, following a ban that lasted for over two and a half months.
Paris and Riyadh seek to revive hope for a political solution through this conference, amidst warnings that the historic opportunity for peace may fade if serious steps towards mutual recognition between the two sides are not taken.
