U.N. Conference on Israel-Palestine Postponed Amid Rising Tensions
PARIS – A major United Nations conference aimed at discussing a potential two-state solution between Israel and Palestine has been postponed due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday.
Scheduled to take place in New York from June 17-20, the conference was set to be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, with Macron among the invited leaders. The Palestinian Authority was hopeful that the gathering might breathe new life into a long-stalled peace process.
Despite the postponement, Macron has reaffirmed his commitment to recognizing the state of Palestine, emphasizing that any future state must acknowledge Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. This reflects France’s ongoing effort to encourage a balanced approach to the conflict.
Macron indicated that the delay was primarily due to logistical and security concerns, along with the inability of some Palestinian representatives to attend. He assured that efforts would continue to schedule the conference at the earliest possible date.
"The goal is to establish a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes Israel’s security," Macron stated, making it clear that any agreement would not involve leadership from Hamas.
The French President also pointed out the interconnectedness of the Israel-Iran situation, the conflict in Gaza, and the broader challenges faced by Palestinians in the region. On the same day, he held discussions with several world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding the implications of recent Israeli strikes on Iran.
One of the objectives of this U.N. conference was to increase global recognition of Palestinian territories as an independent state. Currently, over 145 of the 193 U.N. member nations have recognized Palestinian statehood, with the Palestinians envisioning their territory to include Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem as its capital.
However, Netanyahu has made it clear that he does not support the establishment of a Palestinian state and has opted to skip participation in the conference, maintaining a firm stance on Israel’s position.
