Pope Leo Calls for a Two-State Solution in Israel

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The pope, en route to Lebanon after visiting Turkey, said he had discussed with the Turkish president how the Vatican might help mediate in the conflict.

Shortly after takeoff from Istanbul after completing the first leg of his inaugural international trip, Pope Leo XIV said he had spoken with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey about serving as a “mediating voice” to help Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories negotiate a two-state solution.

“We all know that right now Israel does not accept this situation,” the pope said, speaking in Italian in response to a Turkish reporter’s question about the Vatican’s position on the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Leo, noting that the Vatican is “also friends with Israel,” said a two-state solution was “the only solution” to “the conflict they continually live.” He added, “Turkey has an important role that it can play in this.”

The pope’s answer was in accordance with longstanding Vatican policy. The Vatican also has criticized Israel’s conduct during the war in Gaza. In October, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, said Israel was conducting a “massacre” in Gaza as retribution for Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Cardinal Parolin described those attacks as an “inhuman massacre.” After the Israeli government objected to Cardinal Parolin’s comments, Pope Leo said that the cardinal “expressed the Holy See’s opinion in this matter very well.”

Leo, who thanked President Erdogan for the use of his personal helicopter, said on the plane that the Turkish leader had spent many months talking with the presidents of Russia and Ukraine to try to resolve the war in Ukraine. Leo said he hoped that, given President Erdogan’s relationships with the leaders of Russia, Ukraine and the United States, which is trying to broker a cease-fire, the Turkish president could help “promote dialogue” that would lead to a cease-fire and ultimately an end to the war. » | Motoko Rich | Reporting from the papal plane en route from Istanbul to Beirut, Lebanon | Sunday, November 30, 2025

‘We Need to Have the Right of Self-determination and Freedom’, Says Former Palestinian Activist

Oct 22, 2025 | We spoke to Hanan Ashrawi, former spokesperson for the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

We asked her if the reason the US hadn't set a deadline for Hamas to disarm was because of the risk of both sides walking away from the peace deal. We also asked Hanan Ashrawi what she thought of Sir Tony Blair being in charge of Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

Sir Tony has said the plans were "the best chance of ending two years of war, misery and suffering and I thank President Trump for his leadership, determination and commitment"

Israel maintains that it is adhering properly to the ceasefire terms and strenuously denies any accusation of ethnic cleansing in the Palestinian territories.

US Republicans Warn France, UK, Canada, Australia over Decision to Recognise Palestinian State

Sep 21, 2025 | A group of US Republicans has sent a letter to France, Canada, the UK and Australia, urging them to re-consider their decision to recognise a Palestinian state. It's warning there may be consequences if the countries move ahead with plan at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

Canada, Australia and UK Announced Official Recognition of Palestinian Statehood

Sep 21, 2025 | Canada, Australia and the UK have just announced they are recognising a Palestinian state. The declarations come ahead of a formal declaration at the UN General assembly in New York.

Several other Western nations, including France, have announced similar plans, as international calls grow for the implementation of a two-state solution.

Al Jazeera's Sonia Gallego is monitoring developments from London.


Le Royaume-Uni devrait reconnaître l'État palestinien aujourd’hui : KeirStarmer avait déclaré que cette mesure contribuerait à un véritable processus de paix. En réponse, le premier ministre israélien Benyamin Netanyahou l’a accusé de récompenser le «terrorisme monstrueux». »

«C’est mettre une cible dans notre dos» : le grand malaise des Français juifs devant la reconnaissance de la Palestine

LE FIGARO : ENQUÊTE - Ils se sentent «trahis» par leur pays et ses responsables politiques. Et regrettent la décision d’Emmanuel Macron, approuvée par 29 % seulement de leurs compatriotes.

Un « sondage », créé à la rentrée sur un groupe WhatsApp d’étudiants de l’université Paris 1, qui demande abruptement : « Les juifs, pour ou contre ? » . Un colloque sur l’histoire des Juifs de France, boycotté, ce week-end, par des chercheurs. La synagogue de Sète vandalisée dans la nuit de mardi à mercredi. Des mains rouges et des étoiles de David taguées par dizaines, cet été, sur des immeubles. Des commerces, des synagogues ou le Mémorial de la Shoah aspergés de peinture verte… C’est dans ce contexte de montée en puissance de l’« antisémitisme d’intimidation » que Paris doit formaliser, le 22 septembre, avec plusieurs autres pays, sa reconnaissance de l’État palestinien. Alors qu’ils célébreront ce jour-là Roch Hachana, le Nouvel An juif, les Français de confession juive ne cachent pas leur désarroi. » | Par Stéphane Kovacs | jeudi 18 septembre 2025

Réservé aux abonnés

UK Preparing to Recognise Palestinian State as Early as Friday

THE GUARDIAN: Move comes after Israel fails to meet UK conditions that would have postponed step

The UK is preparing to recognise the state of Palestine as early as Friday, after Israel failed to meet conditions that would have postponed the historic step, including a ceasefire in Gaza.

Keir Starmer insisted the timing of the UK announcement had nothing to do with Donald Trump’s visit, even though the US president said at a press conference that he disagreed with Britain’s decision, without elaborating.

Recognition will bring a wave of criticism from Israel, including claims that it is a reward for Hamas and terrorism, a charge the UK rejects by saying it envisages only a Palestinian state in which Hamas is disarmed, plays no part in the future government, and the leadership of the Palestinian Authority is subject to elections within a year.

Starmer emphasised there would be no place for Hamas, insisting the group were terrorists, and adding he agreed with Trump on the need for a roadmap.

The UK prime minister said recognition was “part of that overall package which hopefully takes us from the appalling situation we’re in now to the outcome of a safe and secure Israel, which we do not have, and a viable Palestinian state”. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Thursday, September 18, 2025

La Belgique reconnaîtra la Palestine lors de l’Assemblée générale de l’ONU

LE FIGARO : Cette reconnaissance reste soumise à conditions : elle ne sera officiellement formalisée que lorsque «le dernier otage aura été libéré et que le Hamas n’assumera plus quelconque gestion de la Palestine», a précisé le ministre belge des Affaires étrangères.

La Belgique va reconnaître l’État de Palestine à l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies en septembre, a annoncé mardi le ministre belge des Affaires étrangères Maxime Prévot, se joignant à d’autres pays comme la France ou le Canada. «La Palestine sera reconnue par la Belgique lors de la session de l’ONU! Et des sanctions fermes sont prises à l’égard du gouvernement israélien», a écrit le chef de la diplomatie belge sur le réseau social X. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mardi 2 septembre 2025

L'Australie va reconnaître l'État de Palestine

LE FIGARO : Le Premier ministre Anthony Albanese a estimé que «la paix ne peut être que temporaire» tant que les Israéliens et les Palestiniens ne disposent pas de leurs États respectifs.

L'Australie va reconnaître l'État de Palestine à l'occasion de l'Assemblée générale de l'ONU en septembre, a annoncé le Premier ministre Anthony Albanese lundi. «La paix ne peut être que temporaire» tant que les Israéliens et les Palestiniens ne disposent pas de leurs États, a déclaré le chef du gouvernement travailliste à la presse, ajoutant: «L’Australie va reconnaître le droit du peuple palestinien à un État qui lui est propre». » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | lundi 11 août 2025

US Envoy to Israel Taunts Starmer and Likens Gaza Assault to Dresden Bombing

THE GUARDIAN: Mike Huckabee launches undiplomatic harangue after UK prime minister calls for immediate ceasefire

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has launched an undiplomatic attack on Keir Starmer by invoking the allied second world war bombing of Dresden after the British prime minister criticised the Israeli security cabinet’s decision to expand the war in Gaza.

“So Israel is expected to surrender to Hamas & feed them even though Israeli hostages are being starved?” Huckabee wrote on social media in response to a post by Starmer calling for an immediate ceasefire and lamenting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as the fate of the remaining Israeli hostages being held by Hamas.

Provocatively, Huckabee added: “Did UK surrender to Nazis and drop food to them?

“Ever heard of Dresden, PM Starmer? That wasn’t food you dropped. If you had been PM then UK would be speaking German!” » | Robert Taft in Washington | Friday, August 8, 2025

US ambassador to Israel says US no longer pursuing goal of independent Palestinian state: This article is more than 1 month old Mike Huckabee suggested any future Palestinian state should be carved out of ‘a Muslim country’ »

Lord Dannatt Urged Ministers to Crack Down on Palestine Action at Request of US Firm

THE GUARDIAN: Police officer was concerned ex-army chief, a Teledyne adviser, sought to have ‘input’ into factory attack investigation

A member of the House of Lords urged ministers to crack down on Palestine Action at the request of a US defence company that employs him as an adviser.

Richard Dannatt, a former head of the British army, wrote privately to two separate Home Office ministers asking them to address the “threat” posed by the group after its activists targeted a factory in 2022.

The activists caused extensive damage to the factory which is run by Teledyne, a US multinational that sells technology for military, aerospace and other applications. Lord Dannatt has been a paid adviser to the company since 2022.

Dannatt’s involvement after the attack on the factory in Wales led to allegations heard later in court that the peer was “seeking to influence” the criminal investigation into the Palestine Action activists. » | Henry Dyer and Rob Evans | Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Arab States Call for Hamas to Disarm Amid Push for a Palestinian State

THE NEW YORK TIMES: “Hamas must end its rule in Gaza,” reads a declaration endorsed by the 22 member nations of the Arab League.

The world’s Arab countries for the first time have joined unanimously in the call for Hamas to lay down its weapons, release all hostages and end its rule of the Gaza Strip, conditions that they said could help the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The surprise declaration, endorsed on Tuesday by the 22 member nations of the Arab League, also condemned Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, which set off the devastating war in Gaza. The statement came at a United Nations conference in New York on a two-state solution to end the decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

“In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objectives of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state,” said the declaration. It was also signed by all 27 European Union states and 17 other countries.

The declaration called for the deployment of “a temporary international stabilization mission,” invited by the Palestinian Authority, which administers part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and “under the aegis of the United Nations.” » | Farnaz Fassihi and Ephrat Livni | Thursday, July 31, 2025

Trump Threatens Trade Deal after Canada Plans to Recognise Palestine

Jul 31, 2025 | Canada has announced that they will be recognising the state of Palestine under certain conditions, following the UK and France. Israel has criticised Canadian prime minister Mark Carney meanwhile Donald Trump has threatened that the move would make a trade deal ‘very hard’.

Democracy Now! As Canada, UK & France Move to Recognize Palestine, Two-State Solution Remains Taboo Inside Israel

Jul 31, 2025 | Canada became the latest Western country this week to announce it will recognize the state of Palestine, joining the United Kingdom and France, as well as over 147 other countries that already recognize Palestinian statehood. Palestinian writer and analyst Muhammad Shehada says that while the recent moves are "largely symbolic" and filled with caveats and loopholes, it shows that global opinion is rapidly shifting. He says that despite Israel's growing diplomatic isolation over its starvation of Gaza, the only thing that will stop the genocide is if the United States uses its leverage.

"Netanyahu and the Israeli government are terrified of Trump. They don't want to anger him," says Shehada. "The only thing it would take is Trump making a phone call to Netanyahu and saying, 'End this now.'"


Democracy Now! can be supported here.

John Mearsheimer: The Palestinian Genocide and How the West Has Been Deceived into Supporting It

July 30, 2025

Nb: The mere fact that I have posted this controversial video should not be construed as an endorsement of all the ideas expressed therein. – Mark

Fourteen Nations Join France in Push to Recognise Palestinian state

THE GUARDIAN: Declaration could herald wave of future recognitions, including by Canada, Australia and New Zealand

France and 14 other countries have co-signed a declaration that suggests a wave of future recognitions of an independent Palestinian state, including by Canada, New Zealand and Australia, could take place in the coming months.

The New York Call, which was published by the French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, on Wednesday, said that signatories “have already recognised, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognise the State of Palestine”.

The signatories include Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino, each of which has not yet recognised an independent Palestinian state. They also include Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain, which have. Emmanuel Macron last week said that France would recognise Palestinian statehood in the near future. » | Andrew Roth in Washington | Wednesday, July 30m 2025

Conditional British and French Recognition of a Palestinian State Is a Deflection: Marwan Bishara

Jul 29, 2025 | Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara highlights the deep moral and political contradictions in the UK government's potential move to recognize a Palestinian state. He emphasizes that leaders such as Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Donald Trump lack credibility on matters of peace and justice while being, in his words, “complicit in genocide.” Bishara suggests that rhetorical support is insufficient without concrete actions, retractions, or accountability.

Politically, he questions the conditionality attached to recognizing Palestinian statehood, pointing out that halting the war and acknowledging Palestinian sovereignty should be mutually reinforcing, not conditional. “Why, after two years of genocide, do Palestinians still not deserve security, sovereignty, and justice?” he asks, adding that symbolic gestures mean little if not matched by substantive policy shifts.

Will French Recognition of Palestinian State Make a Difference? | Inside Story

Jul 26, 2025 | France says it’s ready to recognise an independent Palestinian state. The announcement comes at a time of growing international outrage against Israel’s war on Gaza. Several European countries - including Spain, Ireland, and Norway - have already recognised Palestinian statehood. And pressure is mounting on the United Kingdom to do the same. But would any recognition lead to change on the ground? And how will France navigate any backlash from Israel and the US?

Presenter: Adrian Finighan

Guests:
Jacques Reland - Senior Research Fellow at the Global Policy Institute
Ulrich Brueckner, a professor of political science at Stanford University in Berlin
Afif Safieh - Former Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom and United States

Après la France, Malte reconnaîtra l’État de Palestine en septembre

LE FIGARO : L’île méditerranéenne, membre de l’UE, a une longue tradition de soutien aux causes palestiniennes et a toujours appuyé les efforts en faveur d’une solution à deux États.

Malte reconnaîtra l’État de Palestine en septembre, lors de l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies, a déclaré ce mardi soir 29 juillet le premier ministre de l’île Robert Abela. «Notre position reflète notre engagement en faveur d’un effort de paix durable au Moyen-Orient», a déclaré Robert Abela dans un message publié sur Facebook. Le gouvernement maltais subissait une pression croissante au sein même de ses rangs pour reconnaître un État palestinien, et l’opposition au centre et à droite a également appelé à une reconnaissance immédiate à la mi-juillet. » | Par Steve Tenré avec Reuters | mardi 29 juillet 2025

Jewish Father Attacked by Mob at Italian Service Station

THE GUARDIAN: Man said chants began when a cashier shouted ‘Free Palestine’ after noticing he and his son were wearing kippahs

A Jewish father and his six-year-old son were targeted by a mob on Sunday chanting “Free Palestine” and “murderers” at a service station near Milan, with the man eventually pushed to the floor and repeatedly kicked, in the latest of a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe.

According to the victim – a 52-year-old French Jew who lives in France and gave his name only as Elie– the incident began when a cashier shouted “Free Palestine”, upon noticing that he and his son were wearing kippahs. » | Lorenzo Tondo in Palermo | Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Former Irish President Delivers Keynote Address at UN Conference on Israel-Palestine

Jul 18, 2025 | Former Irish President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson delivers a searing keynote address at the United Nations high-level conference on the Israel-Palestine conflict, hosted by France and Saudi Arabia in New York.

Speaking on behalf of The Elders, the independent group founded by Nelson Mandela, Robinson condemns the atrocities in Gaza, Israel’s illegal occupation, and the international community’s failure to act.

This is one of the most forceful and morally urgent speeches delivered at the UN in recent memory.