Emmanuel Macron, during a phone conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday, June 4, expressed his “concern” about the “deteriorating situation” in the Palestinian Territories and his “availability” to work for “lasting peace” in the Palestinian Territories use region. The French President “also regretted the continuation of the colonization policy and reminded Mahmoud Abbas of France’s unwavering commitment to respect for the legitimate rights of the Palestinians,” according to the French Presidency.
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At least 19 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in attacks by Palestinians and Israeli Arabs in Israel and the West Bank since late March. Israeli security forces responded with operations in Israel and the occupied West Bank. 39 Palestinians and three Israeli Arab attackers were killed there, some members of armed groups but also civilians, including a journalist covering an operation in Jenin.
Emmanuel Macron sent his “condolences” to the Palestinian people on the death of journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh, recalling “how important it is for France that all light is shed on the circumstances of his death”. “The President of the Republic said he was ready to contain any escalation and encourage the resumption of negotiations to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region,” continued the Elysée.
The international community is calling for a two-state solution, one Israeli and one Palestinian, to end the conflict. But negotiations have stalled since 2014 and Israeli colonization in the Palestinian Territories, which Palestinians say is one of the biggest obstacles to a resolution to the conflict, continues. Today, around 475,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, where 2.9 million Palestinians live.
During a phone conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan, the head of state also said “his willingness to continue to work for the stability of the region, in the wake of the Baghdad conference in August 2021, co-chaired by France and bringing all regional actors together”. Emmanuel Macron “reaffirmed his full support for the Hashemite Kingdom in responding to the security and economic challenges it is facing.” The two leaders congratulated the French President on his April 24 re-election.