However, things must be taken step by step. Currently, France “starts,” followed by the UK, and Europe moves in the right direction without a doubt!
French President Emmanuel Macron has officially announced—
France will formally recognize the State of Palestine this September!
“I plan to officially announce this decision during the United Nations General Assembly session this September,” Macron stated on July 24th local time.
According to reports, Macron wrote an official open letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, emphasizing France’s support for the “two-state solution.”
As expected, Macron’s statement immediately met with various opposition from the US side.
From Trump, who is vacationing in Scotland, to his mother’s former residence in Scotland, he was golfing and commenting to the media:
“It’s his business, not mine. I support the US, not France.”
It seems that Trump’s attitude is mild. However, just look at what Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on social media after Macron’s announcement, you’ll know exactly what the US stands for! Who is Trump supporting?
Blinken claimed that the US strongly opposes France’s recognition of the State of Palestine.
President Emmanuel Macron Image: Data
It seems Trump is playing the role of the stern one,
while Blinken is the one singing the praises!
In any case, the current US attitude is unwilling to support the “two-state solution” or even acknowledge the State of Palestine.
Of course, the US’s attitude has been widely revealed before. For instance, at UN General Assembly and other occasions, the US has repeatedly gone against all odds to single-handedly oppose the recognition of the State of Palestine.
Moreover, Western countries generally have reservations about the US. Therefore, even those who are sympathetic to the State of Palestine hesitate to speak out. For example, the UK, always following the US, remains cautious.
On the 25th, after arriving in Scotland, Trump was interviewed. Photo: Screenshot from American media reports.
France had previously been cautious about the United States. Now, with Macron’s “roaring call,” France became the first G7 member to recognize the state of Palestine.
Macron also called on British Prime Minister Sturgeon to follow his lead and recognize the state of Palestine.
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency earlier this month, Macron had already put pressure on Sturgeon at that time. Note the weight of the term “pressure!”
An unnamed British government source said, “In the matter of recognizing the state of Palestine, the French tried to pull us onto their ship, but we have reservations.”
British Prime Minister Sturgeon Photo: Archive
Whether or not to join the French “ship”? Sturgeon could not remain silent.
After all, Sturgeon is also under pressure within the UK!
In May this year, several Conservative MPs jointly wrote to Sturgeon, calling on him to recognize the state of Palestine. The Guardian reported in April this year, citing David Lammy, the British Foreign Secretary, that the UK is negotiating with France and Saudi Arabia regarding the recognition of the state of Palestine.
From these pieces of information, it seems Britain might not be entirely unmoved. Perhaps one day, they might recognize the state of Palestine.
Xinhua News Agency stated that according to multiple media reports, France and Saudi Arabia originally planned to co-host a United Nations meeting in June to promote the implementation of the “two-state solution.” France might then recognize the state of Palestine at that time. However, the conflict between Israel and Iran disrupted this plan. Nevertheless, Jean-Noel Barnier, the French Foreign Minister, stated that changes in regional situations would not shake France’s determination to recognize the state of Palestine.
And when Macron claimed to recognize the state of Palestine and set a date for the recognition, Sturgeon’s tone revealed further changes in Britain!
On the 25th local time, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a statement on the situation in Gaza, condemning Israel for its military escalation and obstruction of humanitarian aid. Johnson stated that Britain hopes to promote peace processes and urgently demands a ceasefire, “recognizing the creation of the Palestinian state is one step.”
Mr. Hao believes this is quite rare!
At least since the 1990s, it has been particularly rare for the UK and the United States to have opposing voices on international issues!
Matteo Rubio said, “The United States strongly opposes Macron’s plan to recognize the Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly,” describing France’s actions as “rash decisions”. Photo: Information
When US Secretary of State was dismissive of the Palestinian state,
When President of the United States was saying “that’s France’s business, I support the United States”,
British Prime Minister had already condemned Israel and hoped to promote peace processes. Most importantly, Britain believed, “recognizing the Palestinian state is one step.”
French President Macron, German Chancellor Merkel, British Prime Minister Johnson (from left to right) Photo: News Client
Looking at the overall attitude of Europe, at least currently, there is one thing that is undeniably clear:
Leaders from the UK, France, and Germany issued a joint statement calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of detainees, demanding Israel immediately removes obstacles to humanitarian aid!
“Berlin and London formed an armed brotherhood,” was the analysis by some German media after German Chancellor Merkel visited the UK and signed the Kensington Treaty with British Prime Minister Johnson on July 17th, local time. According to news clients, this is Merkel’s first visit to the UK since taking office as Chancellor of Germany in May this year. It is also following Macron’s visit to the UK, where Germany follows suit.
It should be noted that after Brexit, the UK has gradually moved closer to the US but has increasingly distanced itself from continental Europe.
However, the situation has changed significantly since this year.
Is this the result of Trump’s return to the White House?
Anyway, regarding the Middle East issue, Europe has been repeatedly “aligning”.
For example, on the 25th local time, German government spokesperson Stefan Knillus issued a written statement on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, stating that the German government does not intend to recognize the Palestinian state in the short term. However, he still expressed, “The German government firmly believes that only through negotiations can the ‘two states solution’ be achieved for Israel and Palestine, bringing lasting peace and security.” He also mentioned, “The German government always considers recognizing the Palestinian state as one of the final steps towards the ‘two states solution’.” However, currently, Germany believes that “the security of Israel is crucial to the German government, hence, it does not intend to recognize the Palestinian state in the short term.”
Stefan Knillus’s statement is understandable. After all, Germany’s attitude towards Jews cannot be taken lightly!
Stefan Knillus, German government spokesperson. Image: Data
In fact, Britain, France, and Germany are forming their own views on the Russia-Ukraine issue that differ from Trump’s.
It seems that Britain, France, and Germany appear more firm on the Russian side, but in the Middle East, Israel is not their unconditional support target.
Historically, Europe, especially Britain and France, has left regrets in the Middle East. Especially in the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Britain cannot escape its responsibility!
However, looking at the present, if Britain can demonstrate its different stance from the United States and approach closer to France and Germany, perhaps it can gradually resolve some issues.
Ultimately, things must move towards reconciliation between Israel and Palestine, and the United States must ultimately abandon its role as an intermediary.
But things must be handled step by step. Currently, France starts, followed by Britain, and Europe moves in the right direction, which is always correct!