European countries announce recognition of Palestine at high-level conference in New York

WASHINGTON

Several European leaders announced their countries’ recognition of Palestine during a high-level meeting held Monday on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, framing the move as a historic step toward ending the war in Gaza and advancing a two-state solution.

The France and Saudi Arabia-led international conference, formally titled the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, brought together international leaders who urged immediate steps to end the war in Gaza and advance a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Addressing the conference, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said “we have to stop this slaughter now,” as bombs continue to fall “indiscriminately on the civilian population in Gaza.” He warned that “there is no solution possible when the population of one of those two states is the victim of a genocide.”

Sanchez called for Palestine to be admitted as a full UN member state “as soon as possible” and said Spain will move forward with measures to halt the brutality in Gaza.

“History will judge us, and its verdict will be brutal with those that perpetrated this slaughter and with those who remain silent or turned a blind eye,” he added.

Ireland’s Prime Minister Michael Martin echoed the urgency, saying “the only viable option to deliver a peaceful future for Israel and for Palestine is a two-state solution.”

Describing the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza as “an affront to the world,” he said: “We have reached a point where what has been credibly described as a genocide is being carried out in front of the eyes of the world.”

Ireland last year joined Spain, Norway and Slovenia in recognizing Palestine.

Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden also formally declared his country’s recognition of Palestine, calling it “the beginning of a renewed commitment” to hope, diplomacy and coexistence. He stressed that the decision was not “against Israel or its people” but aimed at reviving the prospect of peace based on international law and the UN Charter.

Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela also confirmed his country’s recognition of Palestine, saying: “What is happening in Gaza is morally and legally very wrong, and we have a duty on all of us to act.”

Andorran Foreign Minister Imma Tor Faus described the situation in Gaza as “unbearable,” pointing to hunger “used as a weapon of war” and mass forced displacement. Calling for an immediate ceasefire, she said the government of Andorra has approved the recognition of Palestine, stressing that Palestinians “should live in peace and security within their own state, side by side with the state of Israel.”

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever reaffirmed his country’s support for a two-state solution, joining the signatories of the New York Declaration.

He emphasized, however, that Belgium’s formal recognition would take place only once all hostages are released and Hamas is no longer part of Palestinian governance.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the momentum, noting that “the state of Palestine has been recognized by the majority of EU member states.”

While the majority of European countries now recognize a Palestinian state, two of the continent’s largest economies, Germany and Italy, have signaled they are unlikely to make such a move soon.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann David Wadephul acknowledged that a two-state solution “appears more distant than ever” but insisted there is “no convincing alternative” to “an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state existing side by side and in peace and in security with Israel.”

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed his country’s support for a two-state solution and highlighted Rome’s humanitarian assistance to Palestinians but stopped short of announcing recognition.