US dismisses UN Israel-Palestinian conference as ‘publicity stunt’

WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday dismissed a French-Saudi-sponsored conference at the United Nations on promoting a two-state solution to the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis as a “stunt.”

The US State Department labeled the three-day event “unproductive and ill-timed,” as well as a “publicity stunt” that would make finding peace harder.

Read more: France defends move to recognize Palestinian state, Gulf States welcome

The diplomatic push is a “reward for terrorism,” the statement said, also calling the promise to recognize a Palestinian state by French President Emmanuel Macron “counterproductive”.

Meanwhile, the reaction isn’t a surprise given that US President Donald Trump has already dismissed his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state as pointless.

“He’s a very good guy, I like him, but that statement doesn’t carry weight,” Trump added, reacting to the French president’s announcement to formally recognize the State of Palestine.

In his immediate reaction, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had termed the French decision as “reckless”.

“The United States strongly rejects Emmanuel Macron’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly. This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th,” Rubio said.

However, France remains committed to the decision.

NO OPTION BUT TWO-STATE SOLUTION

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Monday that there was “no alternative” to a two-state solution for the Israelis and Palestinians as he opened the conference on the stalled process at the United Nations.

“Only a political, two-state solution will help respond to the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. There is no alternative,” he said.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia, which is chairing the event along with France, on Sunday reaffirmed the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinians, as he again pressed the case for a two-state solution amid the unending sufferings of people in Gaza.