The United Kingdom has joined France in announcing its intention to recognize a “Palestinian state” at a conference set for June 18, sponsored by Saudi Arabia and France under the auspices of the United Nations.
Both nations committed to “recognizing a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution,” the two governments announced in a joint statement published three days ago.
The statement unequivocally condemned Israel for its existential war against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza, which after more than a year included a suspension of humanitarian aid deliveries to the enclave because they were not reaching their intended consumers; the trucks were routinely looted by Hamas, which then sold the food and other supplies to their population.
At the start of this week Israel allowed the resumption of aid deliveries to Gaza under the auspices of an American plan that included independent military contractors who are to secure the aid and its distribution.
One hundred aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday, and another 100 aid trucks entered the enclave on Wednesday.
But France claims this is “totally insufficient.”
“We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable,” the statement said.
Canada, which is a member of the United Kingdom led by Britain, was the third signatory to the statement.
France reinforced its intention to recognize the Palestinian Authority as a sovereign nation, despite its financial support for incitement and terror attacks against Israeli civilians.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Tuesday that France is “determined” to recognize a Palestinian state, pointing to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza as the reason for the policy.
“We cannot leave the children of Gaza a legacy of violence and hatred. So, all this must stop, and that’s why we are determined to recognize a Palestinian state,” Barrot told France Inter Radio.
“And I am actively working towards this, because we want to contribute to a political solution in the interest of the Palestinians but also for the security of Israel,” he added.
Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has yet to condemn the invasion of Israel, the slaughter of 1,200 innocents and abduction of 251 others by Hamas-led terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023.
The Palestinian Authority’s “pay for slay” program still offers lifetime monthly “salaries” for terrorists who attack and kill Israelis, and to their families if they die in the attempt. Ramallah has continued the program despite Congressional legislation banning foreign aid to the entity until the policy is canceled.
