New York: France and Saudi Arabia are poised to officially recognize the state of Palestine in a significant move that aligns with a renewed global push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The announcement comes as world leaders gather at the United Nations General Assembly, with the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip intensifying the urgency of the situation.
According to France24.com, this initiative includes a new road map towards Palestinian statehood in territories seized by Israel during the 1967 Mideast war. Several Western countries, including Britain, Canada, and Australia, have already recognized a Palestinian state, with France and Saudi Arabia set to follow suit. Nearly 150 countries globally support this recognition, which proponents argue is essential for resolving the longstanding conflict.
The creation of a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza has long been viewed as the only viable solution to the conflict, offering Israel the opportunity to exist as a democracy with a Jewish majority. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the necessity of a two-state solution for peace in the Middle East. However, the United States and Israel argue that international recognition rewards Hamas and complicates efforts to end the war and secure the release of hostages.
Despite these challenges, France and Saudi Arabia have proposed a phased plan aimed at ending the conflict by establishing a demilitarized state under the governance of the Palestinian Authority, with international assistance. This plan calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of hostages, and a complete Israeli withdrawal. While Hamas has agreed to hand over power to an independent committee, it has yet to disarm.
The proposed plan also suggests international support for rebuilding Gaza and governing the territories, potentially with the help of foreign peacekeepers. Regional peace and integration, including the normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, are seen as eventual outcomes of these efforts.
However, the plan faces significant hurdles. It sidesteps contentious issues such as final borders, the status of Jerusalem, and the fate of Israeli settlements. The reliance on the Palestinian Authority, criticized by many Palestinians for corruption and autocracy, further complicates the situation. The plan calls for Palestinian elections within a year, but President Mahmoud Abbas has previously postponed votes due to potential electoral losses.
Ultimately, the French-Saudi initiative may struggle to overcome longstanding obstacles, leaving the region in a state of uncertainty as Israel maintains control from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, governing millions of Palestinians without basic rights.