Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) and France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) hold a joint press conference following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing at a military base at Northwood Headquarters in north-west London. AFP
Speaking at a joint press conference in London at the end of his three-day state visit, Macron said: “I believe in the future of the two-state solution… which will allow Israel to live in peace and security with its neighbours.”
He called for coordinated action between Paris and London. “We must unite our voices in Paris, London, and everywhere else to recognise a State of Palestine and initiate this political dynamic, which is the only one consistent with a perspective of peace,” he said.
Starmer reaffirmed that his government supports recognition “as part of a process,” adding: “This remains our position.”
But he said the immediate priority must be ending the war in Gaza. “The focus must now be relentless on securing a ceasefire that will allow politics to take precedence over fighting and allow humanitarian aid to arrive and the hostages to be cared for.”
The comments follow a 19 May joint statement by the UK, France, and Canada, condemning Israel’s “scandalous actions” in Gaza and suggesting recognition of Palestine was under consideration. None of the three has taken that step, facing strong resistance from Israel and the United States.
Ireland, Spain, and Norway recognised Palestine in May, followed by Slovenia in June.
Macron’s remarks were one of several firm statements during his visit. On Tuesday, addressing both houses of the British parliament, he again pressed for Palestinian recognition and an unconditional ceasefire.
“This solution of the two states and the recognition of the State of Palestine is... the only way to build peace and stability for all in the whole region,” he told lawmakers.
He described Israel’s war on Gaza as a “war without end and without a strategic objective,” warning that it “poses a huge threat to the region and our collective security.”
“Together, we call for the release of all hostages. Together we call for a ceasefire in Gaza. It is a matter of absolute urgency,” he said.
Two-state solution
In June, Macron announced a UN conference on the two-state solution, originally scheduled for this month in New York, had been postponed due to what he described as “logistical and security reasons.” He said the meeting would still go ahead “as soon as possible.”
Macron had previously indicated that the conference could mark progress “towards recognising Palestine,” and has repeatedly reaffirmed France’s “determination” to move ahead with recognition “under any circumstances,” suggesting in early June that the move could come that same month.
Since the beginning of the war on 7 October 2023; Israel has killed nearly 58,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry, with thousands more missing under the rubble. Independent estimates suggest the true death toll may be closer to 100,000.
Israel’s nearly three-month blockade has created a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Daily attacks on aid distribution sites operated through a US- and Israeli-backed foundation have killed scores of Palestinians seeking food and assistance, while relentless bombing has displaced over 2 million people and plunged the population into famine.
More than 600 Palestinians have been killed near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution sites, according to the UN.
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