Fifteen Western nations on Wednesday called on the international community to recognize Palestinian statehood, issuing a joint appeal after a United Nations conference on the Gaza war.
The declaration was signed by ministers from five states that already recognize Palestine – Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and Slovenia – and by officials from Australia, Andorra, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal, San Marino and France, which said it will extend recognition at the UN General Assembly in September. Britain signaled readiness to take a similar step.
The signatories also urged an immediate Gaza ceasefire, the release of Hamas hostages, expanded humanitarian access and the removal of Hamas from power, saying they hoped to rebuild peaceful ties with Israel.
Several Arab countries endorsed the statement, which France’s foreign ministry called an “unprecedented” move.
In Warsaw, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki said Poland was working bilaterally and within the EU and UN for a swift ceasefire, greater civilian aid, hostage releases and a two‑state solution.
He noted recent meetings with Israel’s ambassador Yaakov Finkelstein and Palestine’s envoy Mahmoud Khalifa.
(jh)
Source: PAP, IAR