UK in Talks with France and Saudi Arabia over Palestinian State Recognition
The United Kingdom is currently engaged in discussions with France and Saudi Arabia regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state at a June conference aimed at keeping alive the political path to a two-state solution in the Middle East. This development was confirmed by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who revealed that the talks are part of a broader effort to find a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to The Guardian, Lammy’s comments mark the first time the UK has acknowledged that a discussion with France about a recognition process around the conference is underway. The proposed recognition of Palestine by two permanent members of the UN Security Council would be a significant statement, but it faces numerous diplomatic hurdles, including the need for greater clarity about what France is proposing and whether recognition could form part of a credible process towards a two-state solution.
As The Guardian reports, Lammy emphasized that the UK wants to take the step of recognizing Palestine when it would have an impact on the ground, not at a symbolic moment. He also noted that it was his "sad conclusion" that some European countries’ recognition of Palestine recently had not had any effect. The UK Foreign Secretary reminded the Lords International Relations Select Committee that 160 states had now recognized Palestine, including most recently Spain, Norway, and Ireland.
Lammy stated, "No one has a veto on when the UK recognises that Palestinian state … We have always said that recognition is not an end in of itself and we will prefer recognition as a part of a process to two states." He also revealed that President Macron has had a lot to say about the issue, most recently alongside the Saudis, and that the UK is in discussion with them at this time. As quoted in The Guardian, Lammy said, "President Macron has had a lot to say about that, most recently, alongside the Saudis, and of course we are in discussion with them at this time."
The recognition of Palestine by the UK and other countries is seen as a crucial step towards a two-state solution, but it is opposed by Israel. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has argued that recognizing Palestine as a state would be a victory for Hamas and Iran. In contrast, Lammy has emphasized that any long-term solution would require Hamas not to be in government in Gaza and its leadership to leave, probably to a third country.
As reported by The Guardian, Lammy also expressed his frustration with the Israeli leadership’s 60-day ban on aid into Gaza, describing the blockade of necessary aid into Gaza as "horrendous." He proposed no new measures but emphasized that the UK has been clear about Israel’s obligations to provide aid. The accelerating pace of settlement expansion has also been undermining the viability of two states, with Lammy describing settlement violence levels as "shocking."
The issue of Palestinian state recognition has gained significant attention in recent weeks, with French President Emmanuel Macron suggesting that France would probably recognize a Palestinian state at the June conference. This move would be the first recognition of Palestine by a G7 member state. However, Macron later clarified that the move would be intended to "trigger a series of other recognitions … including the recognition of Israel by states that do not currently do so." As noted in The Guardian, this could provide France with a way out if no momentum towards recognition emerges.
The development has also sparked concerns about French political credibility, with Michel Duclos, a special adviser to Institut Montaigne, a Paris-based thinktank, arguing that France’s handling of the issue is crucial. He stated that since the best outcome from the June conference at the UN "may be nothing more than a roadmap or set of proposals, the dilemma for France may soon become more challenging: can it continue postponing its recognition of Palestine while waiting for a true two-state momentum? Or would further postponement undermine its credibility?"
In conclusion, the UK’s discussions with France and Saudi Arabia over Palestinian state recognition mark a significant development in the quest for a two-state solution. As The Guardian reports, the recognition of Palestine by two permanent members of the UN Security Council would be a powerful statement, but it faces numerous diplomatic hurdles. The UK and other countries must navigate these challenges to find a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
