France stands by decision not to recognize Palestinian state
EU countries are divided on whether to recognize a Palestinian state or not.
French Foreign Minister Stephane Séjourné said recognizing a Palestinian state is not “taboo,” but that the timing was not right to do so.
Speaking at a press conference in Weimar, Séjourné said “the impact of recognizing a Palestinian state now would not have much impact” given the diplomatic deadlock between Israel and Palestinian leaders.
“The logic is that the peace process leads to the state recognition… not that recognition is a diplomatic end in itself,” he said, alongside his Polish and German counterparts.
The comments come after Ireland, Norway and Spain announced earlier Wednesday they would recognize a Palestinian state, sparking fury in Israel.
The French minister was in Weimar for three-way talks with Poland and Germany focused on defense, industrial defense policy, Ukraine and EU diplomacy.
The formal recognition of a Palestinian state has been the long-term objective of Western countries supporting a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian territories. But with Israel’s war against Hamas grinding on, some countries are moving towards state recognition as a political gesture.
The recognition has also highlighted EU divisions over its approach to the conflict in the Middle East.
At the press conference, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, whose country is not in favor of recognition, said the focus should be “on political solutions” and “concrete talks.”
“The hostages that are held must be liberated, humanitarian aid must enter Gaza. Without that it is not real to imagine a diplomatic solution for the Palestinians,” she said.
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