"Two-state solution": Carney, Macron and Starmer "determined to recognize a Palestinian state"

Mark Carney, Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer warned on Monday that they would not "stand idly by" in the face of the "scandalous actions" of Benjamin Netanyahu's Israeli government in Gaza, threatening "concrete measures" if it does not cease its military offensive and release humanitarian aid.

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"We are determined to recognize a Palestinian state as a contribution to the achievement of a two-state solution and we are ready to work with others to this end," the French president and the British and Canadian prime ministers said in a joint statement, referring in particular to the conference planned for June at the United Nations "to build an international consensus around this objective."

"We strongly oppose the expansion of Israeli military operations in Gaza," the leaders said, adding that the "level of human suffering" in the Palestinian enclave was "intolerable."

Photo AFP

They consider the announcement of access to "a minimal quantity of food" to be "completely insufficient" and call on "the Israeli government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately authorize the entry of humanitarian aid."

Keir Starmer, Mark Carney and Emmanuel Macron also condemned "the odious language recently used by members of the Israeli government and the threat of forced displacement of civilians facing the desperate destruction of Gaza."

AFP

While recognizing Israel's right to "defend" itself against "terrorism" and calling on "Hamas to immediately release the remaining hostages it has been holding so cruelly since October 7, 2023," the three leaders believe that the escalation carried out by the Israeli authorities is "totally disproportionate."

"If Israel does not end the new military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take other concrete measures in response," they warned, without specifying which ones.

They also threaten "targeted measures" if Israel does not end "settlements that are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state."

Referring to the June 18 conference in New York, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, on the two-state solution, they promised to "work with the Palestinian Authority, regional partners, Israel and the United States to reach a consensus on the arrangements for the future of Gaza, building on the Arab plan."