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French President, , has urged the revival of peace talks in the Middle East and emphasized that Israeli security would also benefit from Palestinian statehood.
In Jerusalem, Macron stated, “Israel’s lasting security cannot be achieved without a decisive revival of the political process with the Palestinians.” He further added that for stability and normalcy to prevail in the region, Israel must accept the legitimate right of Palestinians to have a territory and state that coexists peacefully and securely alongside Israel.
Macron expressed readiness for the international coalition against Islamic State to shift its focus towards Hamas. Following a meeting with French citizens affected by Hamas-related incidents, he highlighted the priority of defeating terrorist groups together.
Later in the day, Macron planned to meet with President of the Palestinian Authority, . He also issued a warning to Iranian-backed militant organizations, including Hezbollah, to refrain from initiating new fronts in the ongoing conflict.
The establishment of an independent Palestinian state, encompassing Gaza and the West Bank, has been a focal point of intermittent peace talks for over two decades. The status of the West Bank remains contentious, with Israeli settlements occupying more than half of the territory.
While some Israelis support annexation and extending sovereignty to parts of the West Bank, the area is governed by the Palestinian Authority led by President Abbas. The Israeli military has maintained control of the entire region since 1967.
In 2005, Israel withdrew 9,000 settlers and troops from Gaza, relinquishing control to the Palestinian Authority. However, Hamas ousted the authority two years later, leading to their takeover of the Strip. Israeli concerns arise from the rejection of Israel’s existence by Hamas, fueling fears that a complete withdrawal from the West Bank could result in further Hamas dominance, posing serious threats to Israel.
Macron’s visit to Israel follows similar diplomatic efforts by U.S. President Joe Biden, along with leaders from Germany and the U.K., all aiming to de-escalate the conflict between Israel and the Islamist militant group, Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the E.U.
Since Hamas initiated the attack on Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, the Israeli armed forces have imposed a siege on Gaza and launched numerous airstrikes, vowing to eradicate Hamas.
During the press statement, Netanyahu emphasized the threat that Hamas poses to Europe, stating, “If Hamas emerges as the victor, we all suffer. Europe faces danger. Civilization itself faces danger. In contrast, if Hamas is defeated, it is a triumph for the forces of civilization.”
—With assistance from Ania Nussbaum, Ethan Bronner, and Alisa Odenheimer
© 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
