France calls for Gaza reconstruction despite ongoing war
United Nations Secretary-General Confirms that Israel's Rejection of the Two-State Solution Will Embolden Extremists Everywhere
The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, called on the entire international community to mobilize for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which continues to witness ongoing Israeli attacks. He made this statement during a high-level session on Palestine at the United Nations Security Council.
The French minister described the situation in Gaza as “tragic,” warning of the danger of the conflict spreading in the region. He added, “I must say to Israel, which knows France’s friendship, that the Palestinian state is necessary, and violence against the Palestinian people, especially by extremist (Jewish) settlers, must end, and international law is binding on everyone.”
Séjourné condemned the violence of Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners. He affirmed that the people in Gaza are suffering terribly, stating, “Let us hear the pains of men, women, and children in Gaza,” emphasizing the need to work towards an immediate ceasefire in the region.
He pointed out that an immediate ceasefire alone is sufficient to end the suffering in the area, stressing the necessity to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure, hospitals, schools, and humanitarian aid workers in Gaza. He reminded that humanitarian aid must be able to reach northern Gaza.
The French minister highlighted the need for the entire international community to mobilize its efforts to rebuild Gaza, expressing expectations for the resumption of the peace process between Palestine and Israel.
He noted that his country supports the two-state solution side by side based on the 1967 borders. Séjourné emphasized that Israel does not have the authority to determine how Palestinians govern themselves in the future, stating, “Israel has no right to determine the fate of Palestinians in Gaza; Gaza is Palestinian territory.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on Tuesday that it is “unacceptable” for the Israeli government to reject the two-state solution to the conflict with the Palestinians, warning that this move “will embolden extremists everywhere.” Guterres said, “Israeli occupation must end.”
The Security Council, consisting of 15 members, has long supported the concept of two states living side by side within recognized and secure borders. The Palestinians seek to establish a state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, areas occupied by Israel in the 1967 war.
As the war in Gaza intensifies between Israel and Hamas militants, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated last week that Israel needs security control over all lands west of the Jordan River, covering Palestinian territories. He added, “This contradicts the principle of sovereignty, but what can be done.”
On October 7th, fighters from Hamas launched an attack that Israel said resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of around 253 hostages. Israel responded with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip controlled by Hamas and launched a ground offensive. More than 25,000 Palestinians were killed, according to health officials in Gaza.
Guterres told the UN Security Council, “The entire population of Gaza is suffering from destruction on a scale and at a speed unprecedented in modern history… There is nothing that can justify collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”
The Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki singled out Netanyahu in his address to the Security Council, accusing him of being driven by “one goal, and that is his political survival at the expense of the survival of millions of Palestinians under the illegal Israeli occupation and at the expense of the peace and security of all.”
He said the time has come “for the State of Palestine to join the United Nations.” Such a move requires a recommendation from the 15-member Security Council, where the United States, Israel’s ally, has the right of veto.
