THE WORLD TURNS ITS BACK ON ISRAEL: France and 14 other countries want to recognize Palestine’s independence!

France and 14 other countries have signed a declaration suggesting that a wave of future recognitions of an independent Palestinian state, including by Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, could occur in the coming months.

The document, “The New York Call,” released on Wednesday by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, states that the signatories “have already recognized, have expressed, or are expressing the readiness or positive consideration of our countries to recognize the State of Palestine.”

Who Are the Document’s Signatories?

The signatories include Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal, and San Marino, none of which have yet recognized an independent Palestinian state. Also included are Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain, which have already done so. Emmanuel Macron said last week that France would recognize Palestinian statehood in the near future.

The statement, issued before the conclusion of a three-day UN conference dedicated to reviving the two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, also states that countries will “reiterate their unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders.”

It emphasized “the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.”

Pressure on Israel

These statements come amid growing pressure on Israel to end its military campaign in Gaza, which began in October 2023 in response to a Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly Israelis, and the capture of more than 250 people. More than 60,000 people have died in Gaza in the ensuing conflict, according to the Hamas-led health ministry in Gaza.

Keir Starmer stated on Tuesday that the United Kingdom would recognize the state in September “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the terrible situation in Gaza, agrees to a ceasefire, and commits to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospects for a two-state solution.”

Donald Trump initially said he “had nothing against Starmer taking a stand,” but wanted “people to be fed immediately.”

Trump Not For Palestinian Recognition?

But he later condemned the decision to recognize a Palestinian state, saying on Air Force One that “you could argue that you’re rewarding Hamas if you do that. I don’t think they should be rewarded. So, frankly, I’m not in that camp… because if you do that, you’re really rewarding Hamas. And I’m not going to do that.”

Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said this week that he wants to time the recognition of Palestinian statehood to help achieve progress in negotiations.

“What we are considering are the circumstances in which recognition will advance the cause of a two-state outcome,” Albanese said on Wednesday.

“My entire political life, I’ve said I support two states, Israel’s right to exist within secure borders, and the right of Palestinians to pursue their legitimate aspirations for their own state. That’s my objective,” he stated.

Canada Considers Recognizing Palestine

Canadian state media also reported that the government under Prime Minister Mark Carney is also considering whether to recognize Palestinian statehood, but no decision has yet been made. Carney plans to hold a virtual cabinet meeting on the Middle East on Wednesday, the Canadian national public broadcaster reported.

Israeli Ambassador Condemns Countries Considering Recognition Option
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, condemned the declaration.

“While our hostages languish in Hamas’s terror tunnels in Gaza, these countries choose to issue empty statements instead of investing their efforts in their release,” Danon said.

“This is hypocrisy and a waste of time that legitimizes terrorism and distances any chance for regional progress. Those who truly wish to achieve progress should start with an unequivocal demand for the immediate return of all hostages and the disarmament of Hamas,” he added.