Palestinian state only solution — Paris meeting
HOLLANDE WARNS TRUMP AGAINST ANY DESTABILISING ACTIONS
he creation of a Palestinian state remains the only acceptable solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, according to the resolution of an international meeting in Paris convened to signal frustration at the stalemate in peacemaking.
The final statement reaffirmed that Israel’s 1967 borders would be the basis for any settlement, offered incentives to both sides and told them to avoid steps that work against that solution. It welcomed the recent United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli colonies, but didn’t call for any follow-up action at the UN.
“We have the basis to continue working with the parties, and with the new US administration which we hope to show that the world is united in seeking peace,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told reporters at the end of the conference. “More than an organisation, this meeting is about a state of mind.”
About 75 nations and international organisations gathered to try to revive Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking and seek an end to Israel’s half-century occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank, where the Palestinians hope to establish a state. The last round of US-led negotiations broke down in 2014.
French President Francois Hollande said he was sounding an “alert” that peace talks should be revived for “the security of Israel, security of all the region” before violent extremists and Israeli colonies destroy any hope of a two-state solution.
Hollande warned US President-elect Donald Trump against any “improvised” or destabilising actions after he takes office on Friday. T
Diplomats from 70 countries gathered in Paris yesterday to try to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts amid fears of a new escalation if Donald Trump implements a pledge to recognise occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Neither Israel nor the Palestinians are represented at the conference, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed as “rigged” against the Jewish state.
Opening the meeting, French Foreign Minister JeanMarc Ayrault said the international community wanted to “forcefully reiterate that the two-state solution is the only solution possible” to the sevendecade-old conflict.
In a TV interview later, Ayrault warned that moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem would have “extremely serious consequences” and predicted Trump would find it impossible to do so.
“When you are President of the United States, you cannot take such a stubborn and such a unilateral view on this issue. You have to try to create the conditions for peace,” he said,
Both Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas have been invited to meet with President Francois Hollande to discuss the conclusions of the Paris talks.
Abbas, who has backed the meeting, is expected to travel to Paris in the coming weeks but Netanyahu rejected the offer, French diplomats said.
Backing for Israel
The meeting is mainly symbolic, but comes at a crucial juncture for the Middle East, five days before Trump, who has vowed unstinting support for Israel, is sworn in as US president.
Israel fears the conference could produce measures that could be put to the Security Council before Trump takes over. The French have insisted they have no such plans.
“France has no other desire than to serve peace, and there is no time to lose,” Ayrault said.
Peace efforts have been at a standstill since a US-led initiative collapsed in April 2014.
Tensions are again running high after a wave of Palestinian attacks and Israel’s ongoing expansion of colonies on land the Palestinians want for their state.
On Saturday, Abbas warned that peace could be dealt a mortal blow if Trump moves the US embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem, recognising the contested city as Israel’s capital as he indicated during campaigning. Such a move would mark a radical departure from US policy and the United Nations’ position that the status of occupied Jerusalem can only be decided in negotiations.
“Any attempts at legitimising the illegal Israeli annexation of the city will destroy the prospects of any political process, bury the hopes for a two-state solution, and fuel extremism in our region, as well as worldwide,” Abbas said. —