**Amid escalating tensions and military exchanges, a crucial U.N. conference aimed at discussing the establishment of a Palestinian state has been postponed, as emphasized by French President Emmanuel Macron.**
**Israel-Iran Conflict Delays Key Conference on Palestinian Statehood**
**Israel-Iran Conflict Delays Key Conference on Palestinian Statehood**
**President Macron announces postponement due to regional violence, impacting future diplomatic recognition of Palestine.**
In light of ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran, a United Nations conference originally scheduled for next week to deliberate on the formation of a Palestinian state has been delayed. President Emmanuel Macron of France, who was set to co-chair the meeting alongside Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, announced the postponement, citing the precarious security situation as a reason.
The French president's decision to pause the conference presents a setback to a pivotal dialogue about Palestinian recognition, which had been anticipated to commence during this event. Macron had previously indicated that France may formally recognize a Palestinian state at the conference, a move that would likely evoke strong backlash from Israel.
On Friday evening, Macron stated that the postponement would be short-term, with plans to reschedule the conference within days. He noted that regional leaders, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, could not travel to New York due to security and logistical issues resulting from the conflict.
Macron cautiously affirmed the significance of pursuing a two-state solution, asserting that progress toward peace remains "unstoppable." However, this sentiment starkly contrasts with the positions held by both the United States and Israel, the latter of whom previously indicated their intention to boycott the conference. The U.S. government has urged nations to avoid participating, claiming such actions would unjustly pressure Israel amid wartime.
France's stance, akin to that of several European nations historically supportive of Israel, reflects a growing discontent with what it perceives as the detrimental policies of Netanyahu's right-wing government, which has been criticized for its handling of the conflict. This shift in perspective is aimed at establishing a framework for peace to address the aftermath of ongoing violence in Gaza, a plan that Netanyahu has so far resisted articulating.
