France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-host a high-profile summit on Monday, bringing together dozens of world leaders in New York to build momentum for a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The meeting, which comes on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, is expected to include announcements of formal recognition of Palestinian statehood by several countries — a move that risks provoking strong backlash from both Israel and the United States.
Israel has already rejected the initiative, with its UN Ambassador Danny Danon describing the summit as a “circus.” He told reporters on Thursday: “We don’t think it’s helpful. We think it’s actually rewarding terrorism.” Israeli officials have hinted that their government is weighing retaliatory measures, including possible annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, as well as bilateral steps specifically targeting France.
Washington, meanwhile, has warned of “consequences” for countries moving toward recognition, including France itself. The Biden administration has consistently opposed unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, arguing that such steps undermine direct negotiations with Israel.
The timing of the summit reflects mounting urgency. Israel recently launched a ground assault on Gaza City, escalating a conflict now in its second year since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The war has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, displaced millions, and deepened humanitarian catastrophe across the enclave. Violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank has also intensified, fueling fears that the two-state solution could soon become impossible to salvage.
Earlier this month, the UN General Assembly endorsed a seven-page declaration setting out “tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps” toward a two-state framework. The declaration also condemned Hamas, calling for its disarmament and surrender, while prioritizing a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and humanitarian access. “The New York Declaration is not a vague promise for the distant future, but rather a roadmap that begins with the top priorities,” France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot explained.
France has been the driving force behind the diplomatic push. President Emmanuel Macron announced in July that his government would recognise a Palestinian state, hoping to galvanise momentum that had largely been led by smaller nations critical of Israel. On Sunday, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal all extended recognition, and France along with at least five other states are expected to follow suit during Monday’s meeting.
Not all recognitions will be unconditional. Some governments have indicated they will phase in diplomatic ties depending on reforms by the Palestinian Authority. Israel, for its part, has dismissed the move, expressing deep mistrust of 89-year-old President Mahmoud Abbas’s ability to implement reforms, despite his recent pledges to Macron.
Palestinian voices remain divided. In Gaza, displaced civilians expressed skepticism that international recognition would alter realities on the ground. “Even if countries such as Australia, Canada, and France acknowledge Palestine, there will still be no serious pressure on Israel to grant the Palestinians their rights,” said Nabeel Jaber, a displaced Palestinian. Others, particularly in the West Bank, viewed the wave of recognitions as historic progress. “It is a victory for the historic rights of the Palestinians,” said resident Mohammed Abu Al Fahim.
Neither Abbas nor Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will attend in person. The US refused visas for Palestinian officials, forcing Abbas to address the summit via video. The Saudi crown prince, despite co-hosting, will also appear virtually following Friday’s consensus decision by the UN General Assembly allowing his remote participation.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin welcomed the momentum but urged world leaders to follow words with deeds. “The world is saying out loud a Palestinian state and we need to materialise it. Now they need to show what these measures are,” she said on Sunday.
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