(Reuters) -Several world leaders are expected to formally recognise a Palestinian state on Monday at a summit in New York convened by France and Saudi Arabia, a move Israel says will undermine the prospects of a peaceful ending to the war in Gaza.
Here are some reactions:
FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER JEAN-NOEL BARROT:
“The recognition of Palestine is a categorical rejection of Hamas and its definitive isolation. It vindicates those Palestinians who have chosen to renounce violence and terrorism.”
“The decision that the President of the Republic will present this afternoon to the United Nations General Assembly is a symbolic, immediate, political decision that demonstrates France’s commitment to the two-state solution,” Barrot told TV1.
NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ESPEN BARTH EIDE
“Palestine is at a turning point, and we are at a crossroads. While international political support for a two-state solution has rarely been stronger, the situation on the ground is worse than ever.
The situation is worst in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, where extreme settlers are asserting themselves through violence, killings, and new settlements, while the Palestinian authorities are being squeezed by Israel.
This week, we will continue working with an ever-growing group of countries to strengthen the Palestinian state. International engagement is critically important to keep the hope of a Palestinian state alive.
Together with European and Arab countries, we will also use the week to put pressure on (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s government to end the atrocities in Gaza. Atrocities that are clear violations of international law and must be stopped immediately, while humanitarian aid must be allowed in and distributed through established channels.”
ENVOY OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, UAE, LANA NUSSEIBEH,
“An expansion of President Trump’s Abraham Accords is what we are working for today, not the annihilation of the vision of the two-state solution, not continued human suffering on both sides, which has been absolutely devastating, but particularly for the Palestinians in Gaza where tens of thousands have lost their lives and several hostages – over 20 – have not come home; this war must end. We have continuously called for a ceasefire and we have called for a pathway to a two-state solution because that is our policy position.”
KREMLIN SPOKESPERSON DMITRY PESKOV
Peskov said of a two-state solution, “we believe that it is the only possible way to find a solution to this extremely complex, long-standing conflict, which is now perhaps at its most acute and tragic stage in its entire history.”
FOREIGN MINISTER OF SINGAPORE VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN
“We call on the Israeli government to cease settlement construction and expansion… We oppose ongoing attempts to create new facts on the ground which undermine the prospects for a two-state solution….Ultimately, to resolve this long-standing conflict in a comprehensive, just and durable manner, there needs to be a negotiated settlement which results in two states, one Israeli (and) one Palestinian, with their peoples living alongside each other in peace, security and dignity.”
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU
“I have a clear message to those leaders who recognize a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre of October 7: You are giving a huge reward to terrorism. And I have another message for you: It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.”
PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS
Abbas welcomed Britain, Canada and Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state on Sunday saying it would allow the “State of Palestine to live side by side with the State of Israel in security, peace, and good neighborliness”.
ISRAEL’S U.N. AMBASSADOR DANNY DANON
“Empty declarations that ignore the reality and the sinister forces of our region do not advance anything. No declaration of any country will change the simple fact that before everything the hostages must be returned and that Hamas must be defeated. The defeat of Hamas and the end of the war will not be achieved by performative speeches at the UN, but by the sustained pressure and activities on the ground by the State of Israel.”
(Compiled by Alexandra Hudson; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
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