Saudia Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud (front, third from left) speaks with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot (fifth from right), at UN headquarters on July 28, 2025, in New York City. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
France told a UN conference co-chaired with Saudi Arabia on Monday, July 28, that there is "no alternative" to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. "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," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said at the start of the three-day meeting.
Days before the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would formally recognize a State of Palestine in September. In an interview with French weekly La Tribune Dimanche, Barrot also said that other European countries will confirm "their intention to recognize the State of Palestine" during the conference, without confirming which.
"All states have a responsibility to act now," said Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the start of the meeting, calling for an international force to deploy to help underwrite Palestinian statehood. "Recognize the state of Palestine without delay."
