The President had a meeting on Friday 21 September with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a few days before their visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
This long meeting enabled them to talk about the delicate situation in which the Palestinian Authority finds itself, with 2018 marked by decisions which have dealt so many blows to the two-state solution as agreed by the Oslo Accords 25 years ago, and to discuss forthcoming developments.
President Macron reitered France’s full commitment to the resumption of dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis and confirmed to President Abbas France’s willingness to mobilize on the diplomatic front to change a situation which is no longer tenable.
President Macron told Mahmoud Abbas that there was no solution for France other than the two-state solution. The international parameters as defined collectively must remain our compass.
Presidents Macron and Abbas talked about Gaza and the need for everything to be done to improve the humanitarian situation. They also talked about the ongoing discusssions, under Egypt’s auspices, between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas aimed at reconciliation between Palestinians. France supports these efforts and encourages President Abbas and Hamas to play their full part in them to enable the return of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza and the holding of elections in the coming months, an essential contribution to the establishment of a democratic Palestinian state.
President Macron reiterated his commitment to Israel’s security and at the same time France’s condemnation of the Israeli policy of settlement building, which has continued and gathered pace in recent months. In this context, the two leaders talked in particular about the symbolic situation of the Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar, east of Jerusalem, which is threatened with demolition. France, in conjunction with its main European partners, spoke out to prevent its demolition and the forced evacuation of its inhabitants, which would be a very serious violation of international law. It solemnly urges the Israeli authorities not to go ahead with this demolition.
Other decisions which are dangerous for everyone’s – including Israel’s – security are jeopardizing the operation set up by the United Nations to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees. The ability of UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] to achieve its objectives is no longer guaranteed today.
