Wide International Movement to Recognize Palestine.. Pressure to Revive Two-State Solution

A group of Western countries announced their intention to recognize the state of Palestine, in a move aimed at pushing the peace process towards a two-state solution. The announcement came during a conference held at the United Nations in New York on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the participation of foreign ministers from several countries.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian stated through the "Ex" platform that France and 14 other countries have collectively called for recognizing the state of Palestine, indicating that this step represents a vital path to achieving peace. He added that the participating countries encourage other countries that have not yet recognized Palestine to join this approach.

A joint statement issued by the participating countries emphasized that recognizing the state of Palestine is a fundamental step towards achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. Among the countries that expressed support for this step for the first time are Canada, Australia, and several European countries, while others like Spain and Ireland reiterated their support for this stance.

On the other hand, diplomatic sources revealed that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson informed his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu that Britain is ready to recognize the state of Palestine, but it requires progress in the political process, including a ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring no expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the British statements, describing them as a "historic position," and called on the international community to follow this approach. Saudi Arabia and Jordan also praised this step, considering it enhances the chances of achieving a two-state solution.

On the other hand, these developments have sparked criticism within Israel, where former Israeli diplomats warned of the increasing international isolation of their country, calling for an end to the war and expediting a political solution that ensures security for Israel and ends the conflict.

These statements came at the conclusion of the "Two-State Solution Enhancement Conference" held in New York under the sponsorship of France and Saudi Arabia, with the participation of 17 countries including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Brazil. The conference resulted in the "New York Declaration" calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the transfer of weapons to the Palestinian Authority, paving the way for serious peace negotiations.

The coming months are expected to witness intense diplomatic movements, especially with the approaching convening of the United Nations General Assembly in September, where sessions may witness new announcements of recognizing the state of Palestine.