London, Jul 25 (AP) The leaders of Britain, France, and Germany are set to hold an urgent call on Friday to address the escalating hunger crisis in Gaza. This call follows French President Emmanuel Macron's unexpected declaration that France will become the first major Western power to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
The announcement has highlighted the differences among European allies, collectively known as the E3, regarding strategies to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and end the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Although all three countries officially support the idea of a Palestinian state, Germany has stated that it currently has no plans to replicate France's actions. Macron is expected to formalize France's decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September, while Britain has also refrained from making a similar move. However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently described statehood as the "inalienable right of the Palestinian people."
Starmer emphasized that he, Macron, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz would discuss on Friday ways to immediately halt the violence and get food to those in urgent need, while also laying out a roadmap for lasting peace.
"The suffering and starvation in Gaza are unspeakable and indefensible," said Starmer, who faces mounting pressure to officially recognize Palestinian statehood from both opposition lawmakers and his Labour Party. Health Secretary Wes Streeting called for action, fearing that soon "there's still a state of Palestine left to recognize."
Although more than 140 countries already recognize a Palestinian state, France is the first among the G7 and the largest European nation to take this step, drawing criticism from Israel and the US.
Britain has long advocated for an independent Palestinian state coexisting with Israel but insists that recognition should be a component of a negotiated two-state solution.
Unfortunately, such a solution seems distant. Negotiations had been stagnant even before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which claimed 1,200 lives and ignited the current conflict.
The deteriorating conditions in Gaza, where hunger is rampant and children are dying of starvation, have raised alarms even among Israel's closest supporters.
Germany, historically a staunch ally of Israel due to Holocaust history, maintains that recognizing a Palestinian state should come at the conclusion of a two-state negotiation and does not anticipate doing so in the near term.
Despite this, Germany has recently taken a firmer stance, labeling Israel's military actions in Gaza as unacceptable and advocating for increased humanitarian aid, while still preferring to influence Israeli leadership through dialogue.
The German government asserted on Friday that it is in "constant exchange" with Israeli officials and other partners concerning a ceasefire and improving humanitarian conditions. It declared readiness to "increase pressure" if progress stalls, although details remain unspecified.
Britain has already suspended some arms sales to Israel, paused free trade negotiations, and sanctioned extreme Israeli government figures and settlers, yet Starmer faces significant pressure to escalate actions.
Emily Thornberry, chair of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that a majority of committee members favor immediate recognition of a Palestinian state.
"We have supported a two-state solution for over 40 years, yet there's been little advancement," she told Times Radio, suggesting that Macron's announcement might "kickstart" the peace process.
This situation also weighs on Starmer's objective to sustain strong relations with the US, which condemned France's move. Starmer is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump soon as the President visits his golf courses in Scotland.
Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East expert at the Chatham House international affairs think tank, remarked that Macron's decision to delay finalizing recognition until September "creates some space" for other nations to respond.
"The UK is close but hasn't quite committed," he noted. "This could motivate Starmer, who is known for his cautious approach. This might generate momentum, some dynamics, for the UK." (AP) SCY SCY
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