Key points
- It is the “only path to peace”: Macron
- Calls for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza
- Ireland, Spain, Norway are amongst EU nations to have recognised Palestinian state
ISLAMABAD: French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the UK parliament to recognise Palestinian statehood, saying it was the “only path to peace.”
Macron is being hosted by King Charles III for the duration of his three-day visit. He has addressed both houses of the British parliament and called for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported.
He is the first French president to receive this honor since 2008. He is also the first European leader in Britain for a state visit since Brexit, DW reported.
“No double standard”
“Calling today for a ceasefire in Gaza without any condition, is just telling to the rest of the world that for us as Europeans, there is no double standard, and as we are attached to human lives, as we are attached to territorial integrity, we want the ceasefire, no discussion,” he said while addressing Britain’s parliamentarians during an official visit.
Al Jazeera cited the French President as saying, “With Gaza in ruin and West Bank being on a daily basis attacked, the perspective of a Palestinian state has never been put at risk as it is,” Macron said. “And this is why this solution of the two states and the recognition of the State of Palestine is… the only way to build peace and stability for all in the whole region.”
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Ireland, Spain, and Norway are amongst the European nations to have recognised an independent Palestinian state since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, according to DW. France is hoping to do so jointly with the UK.
