In brief
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the delay, emphasizing the need for security and logistical considerations amid the regional conflict.
The U.N. conference, originally set for next week, was scheduled to address key steps toward a Palestinian state. President Macron, who was set to co-chair the conference alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, announced the delay due to the ongoing fighting between Israel and Iran. This conflict has created significant security concerns, preventing influential regional leaders, such as Mahmoud Abbas, from attending.The French president described the delay as a temporary measure, indicating that a new date for the conference will be arranged shortly. Macron noted that the objective of discussing a two-state solution remains "unstoppable," despite opposition from the U.S. and Israel, who expressed intentions to skip the meeting. The U.S. government had previously urged nations to reject participation in the talks, suggesting they could undermine Israel's security during wartime.Macron's push for a Palestinian state is framed within a broader critique of what is seen as Israel's right-wing government directing the nation towards a harmful trajectory that compromises Palestinian lives. Acknowledging the growing disillusionment among European states, Macron advocates for establishing a political framework to address the aftermath of ongoing violence in Gaza, a plan which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been reluctant to define.
