In a historic speech in front of the UN General Assembly on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron described his recognition of Palestine, which was joined by that of 11 other states, as a move that will bring peace to the region.
“The time for peace has come,” Mr Macron said to applause in the crowded chamber. “Some might say it’s too late. Other might say it’s too early. But one thing is certain, we can no longer wait.”
Mr Macron has faced fierce opposition to recognition from Israel and the US, which boycotted the event, and in the past days in France from some leading Jewish voices who say it is a gift to Hamas.
In apparent acknowledgement of such criticism, Mr Macron opened his speech by highlighting his empathy for the trauma caused in Israel by the "cruelty of Hamas".
He balanced empathy for Israel with understanding of Palestinian nationalism, using a quote from famed Palestinian author Mahmoud Darwish about his people "who never say goodbye to anything".
The hope is that if enough countries recognise Palestine, Israel and the US will understand the need to end the war in Gaza as a first step towards regional peace. Israeli threats to annex parts of the West Bank in retaliation may only lead to more conflict, leaders warned.
"Let’s be clear: statehood for the Palestinians is a right, not a reward,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said. “Denying statehood would be a gift to extremists everywhere.”
Mr Macron, welcoming efforts made by Qatar, Egypt and the US to reach a ceasefire, said: "Nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza, nothing. I ask Israel to do nothing more that would thwart these efforts from coming to fruition. Hamas was vanquished on the military front … it must also be vanquished politically to be truly dismantled.”
The only way out of conflict is for Israelis to "recognise the humanity" of Palestinians and vice versa, Mr Macron said. Both people live in solitude, he said: "The solitude of the Israelis following the historic nightmare of October 7, 2023; and the solitude of Palestinians at their wits' end in the face of this ceaseless war."
String of announcements
As expected, a string of western states followed the French President's diplomatic effort, with the last-minute additions of Monaco and Denmark. Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal made announcements on Sunday and were followed on Monday by Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra.
Although most of the world recognises Palestine, western states remain the biggest holdout. France and the UK bring with them the diplomatic weight of their status as permanent representatives of the UN Security Council.
Israel has reacted with fury, saying that Palestinian recognition is a "gift to Hamas". Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon described the conference as “theatre”, saying it would do little to change reality in the Palestinian territories.
The US has supported Israel's position and denied visas to Palestinian leaders, including President Mahmoud Abbas. In a speech given by video-link, Mr Abbas called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and urged international backing for a reconstruction plan led by his Palestinian Authority.
Now, states must move beyond symbolism towards a concrete political solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, said Hiba Qasas, the Palestinian convenor of a coalition of more than 500 Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
“France and Saudi Arabia with 143 other states are shaping a serious regional vision, and we need the United States at the table,” Ms Qasas told The National after meeting Mr Macron in New York, along with other members of Israeli and Palestinian civil society.
"Preserving a two-state solution is essential for both peoples and for regional stability: end the war and release all hostage; prevent annexation and forced displacement; and advance a regional political and security framework with a non-militarised Palestinian state and enforceable security guarantees."
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
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The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
MATCH INFO
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Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')
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Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
