September Summit Aims to Grant Palestinian Statehood: Inside the Diplomatic Drive
html
France and Saudi Arabia Reschedule Two‑State Envoy Summit for July, Aiming at Palestinian State Recognition
After a last‑minute postponement linked to Israel’s campaign against Iran, the international envoy conference co‑chaired by France and Saudi Arabia will take place on July 28‑29 in New York. The meeting is set at ministerial level and will focus on advancing the recognition of a Palestinian state by countries that have yet to endorse it, including France.
Key Objectives of the July Summit
- Promote Palestinian State Recognition for select states that have not yet acknowledged it.
- Work on Normalization and Israel’s regional integration with Arab and Muslim countries.
- Prepare for Heads of State Meeting in either Paris or New York ahead of the UN General Assembly on September 22.
France’s Leadership and Diplomatic Position
French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noel Barrot is slated to attend the July summit. Earlier in the year, President Emmanuel Macron called for a joint recognition of a Palestinian state by France and Britain.
Before the postponement, Barrot stated that France would not recognize a Palestinian state alone, underscoring the importance of aligning any French recognition with Gulf Arab allies—most notably Saudi Arabia—who have recently moved to recognize Israel.
Broader Context: U.S. Abraham Accords
Near the end of his first term, U.S. President Donald Trump promoted the Abraham Accords, a landmark agreement that saw the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco become the first Arab countries in decades to normalise ties with Israel.
Palestinian Photographer Motaz Azaiza Garnering Global Attention
In a separate but equally compelling story, Palestinian photographer Motaz Azaiza has amassed nearly 17 million followers on Instagram, a testament to the power of visual storytelling amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
