There Is No Alternative' Conference Opens at UN on Two-State Solution

Saudi Arabia and France have opened a three-day conference at the United Nations with the goal of recognising Palestinian statehood as part of a peaceful settlement to end the war in Gaza.

- Andrew Roth

The conference began yesterday, just days after the French president, Emmanuel Macron, said Paris would officially recognise the Palestinian government in September in an effort to reinvigorate peace talks around a two-state solution that have all but been written off since the deadly Hamas raid and ensuing Israeli military operation that began in 2023.

The French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, has said that the conference would also serve as a platform for other European countries to recognise Palestinian statehood. While he did not specify which countries he meant, speculation has focused on the UK, where Keir Starmer is under increasing pressure from Labour MPs to press Israel to end the war.

"Only a political, two-state solution will help respond to the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security," Barrot said at the opening of the talks yesterday. "There is no alternative."

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, said the kingdom was seeking World Bank approval to transfer $300m (£225m) to Gaza and the West Bank to counter the dire humanitarian crisis in the territory.