No annexation attempt will derail Two-State Solution push: Macron

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday criticised the United States for not granting visas to the Palestinian officials, describing the move as “unacceptable”, and vowed to move ahead with the plans on co-chairing — Saudi Arabia being the other host — an international conference on the two-state solution.

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“No offensive, annexation attempt, or forced displacement of populations will derail the momentum we have created with the [Saudi] Crown Prince [Mohammed bin Salman] — momentum that many partners have already joined,” Macron said.

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The remarks about annexation came as Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu is mulling over annexing the Gaza Strip before the international conference in New York on September 22.

Report has also emerged about the Trump administration is considering a plan to relocate the entire population of Gaza and the United States taking control of the Palestinian territory.

In a post shared on X, the French president said he had just talked to the Saudi Crown Prince to discuss the issue.

“Together, we will co-chair the Conference on the Two-State Solution in New York on September 22,” the French president.

LEGITIMATE ASPIRATIONS

Meanwhile, he asked the Trump administration to grant visas to the Palestinian officials, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, reminding the US of the “Host Country Agreement”.

“The American decision not to grant visas to Palestinian officials is unacceptable. We call for this measure to be reversed and for Palestinian representation to be ensured in accordance with the Host Country Agreement.”

He also promised to legitimate aspirations of Palestinians while sharing the objective.

“Our objective is clear: to rally the broadest possible international support for the Two-State Solution —the only way to meet the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.”

Read more: ‘No alternative’ to two-state solution: France

At the same time, Macron also mentioned Hamas disarmament, strengthening the Palestinian Authority and Gaza reconstruction.

“We are also working to ensure that, the day after, Hamas is disarmed and excluded from any governance of Gaza, that the Palestinian Authority is reformed and strengthened, and that the Gaza Strip is fully reconstructed.”

It’s a developing story. Details to follow.