Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The European Union reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution on Tuesday, stating that recognizing the State of Palestine would contribute meaningfully to achieving a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The remarks come amid growing momentum within European capitals to formally recognize Palestinian statehood during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in New York this September.
European Commission spokesperson Anwar Al-Anouni emphasized that the EU’s position remains consistent: “There is no alternative to the two-state solution, an Israeli state alongside an independent, democratic, geographically contiguous, and viable Palestinian state, living in peace and security, based on mutual recognition, with Jerusalem as the future capital of both states.”
Al-Anouni stressed that the European Union is working toward a unified position among its 27 member states to support this framework, noting that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to solidify that consensus. “The EU remains committed to a fair and comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” he said.
The renewed focus on Palestinian statehood recognition follows a series of declarations from EU member states, beginning with France. In late July, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize the State of Palestine during the UN General Assembly scheduled from September 9 to 23. Since then, more than a dozen Western countries have signaled similar intentions.
On Tuesday, Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (noted in the Arabic version as Maxime Prévot, possibly reflecting a political coalition statement) confirmed that Belgium will formally recognize Palestine during the same UN session. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she added that Brussels is also preparing to impose “strict sanctions” on the Israeli government, in light of what she described as ongoing violations of international law and stalled peace efforts.
The international diplomatic push comes on the heels of a high-level ministerial conference jointly hosted by Saudi Arabia and France at the United Nations in New York on July 28–29. The conference, aimed at advancing a peaceful resolution to the conflict, culminated in the adoption of a joint declaration calling for the implementation of the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan formally endorsed the final communiqué, which reaffirms long-standing international consensus positions and encourages broader international engagement with efforts to recognize Palestinian statehood.
The surge in European support for Palestine’s recognition reflects mounting frustration with the stagnation of peace negotiations, the deepening humanitarian crisis in the occupied territories, and increasing violence in the region. For many European diplomats, recognition is not only a political gesture but a strategic move aimed at preserving the viability of the two-state solution, which many observers fear is slipping away.
While the European Union as a bloc has yet to adopt a unified position, individual member states have significant latitude in foreign policy. As such, coordinated recognition of Palestinian statehood by multiple EU countries during the UN General Assembly could mark a turning point in the decades-long conflict and put additional pressure on both Israel and the international community to re-engage with peace negotiations.
The developments also highlight a shifting global landscape, where Western governments are increasingly vocal in their criticism of Israeli settlement policies and the absence of progress toward a negotiated settlement. The coming weeks are likely to test the limits of diplomatic consensus in Europe and the broader international community on one of the world’s most enduring and divisive conflicts.
