RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on Tuesday about the worsening crisis in Palestine, according to the Saudi Press Agency. During the call, the crown prince reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s demand for an immediate end to Israel’s war on Gaza and the Occupied Territories, while condemning actions that threaten a two-state solution.
Saudi Arabia and France have been at the forefront of efforts to advance Palestinian statehood. In July, Macron announced that France would officially recognize Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly, making it the first G7 nation to do so. The decision was welcomed by Riyadh and other Gulf states, with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry calling it “a historic step that reinforces the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Last month, Riyadh and Paris co-chaired a major conference urging world powers to back Palestinian statehood as the only path to long-term peace in the Middle East. Several countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Malta, Portugal, and the UK, have pledged recognition this month.
Israel has warned it may annex the West Bank and seize Gaza City if Western nations move ahead with recognition. Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to mount, with health officials reporting more than 62,000 civilian deaths.
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