Saudi Arabia and France have launched a UN push to recognise a Palestinian statehood

Saudi Arabia and France have launched a UN push to recognise a Palestinian statehood - Saudi Arabia and France have opened a three-day UN conference. The conference which was launched on Monday is aimed at promoting recognition of a Palestinian statehood as part of a broader effort to end the war in Gaza. The move follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to officially recognise Palestine by September, a decision he says is key to reviving the two-state solution. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged other European nations to follow suit.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized the urgency of supporting Palestinians, announcing plans to transfer $300 million to Gaza and the West Bank. He reaffirmed support for a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as capital. The conference is co-chaired by 16 other countries and delegations, including the UK, Ireland, and the EU. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, under mounting pressure from Labour MPs, is expected to discuss formal recognition of Palestine and humanitarian aid with Donald Trump. Israel and the US have strongly opposed the initiative, calling it "unproductive" and disconnected from the reality on the ground.

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