A U.N. conference aimed at discussing Palestinian statehood has been postponed due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, as President Macron emphasizes the necessity for leaders to prioritize security and logistics.
Israel-Iran Conflict: Conference on Palestinian Statehood Delayed
Israel-Iran Conflict: Conference on Palestinian Statehood Delayed
France’s Macron announces the postponement due to escalating hostilities
June 14, 2025, 10:34 a.m. ET
In light of the intensifying military exchanges between Israel and Iran, President Emmanuel Macron of France has confirmed that a significant U.N. conference focusing on the potential establishment of a Palestinian state has been temporarily delayed. Initially scheduled for next week, the conference was meant to be co-led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia and Macron himself.
Macron expressed regret over the decision, which stems from the inability of key regional figures, including Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, to attend due to the deteriorating security situation. “The postponement is necessary for logistical, physical, security, and political reasons,” he remarked, maintaining the outlook that the endeavor toward a two-state resolution represented in the conference remains “unstoppable.”
This sentiment is not universally shared, particularly by the United States and Israel, both of whom have announced their intention to boycott the conference. A recent cable from the U.S. urged nations to avoid engagement, deeming the conference a method of coercing Israel amidst ongoing conflict.
France’s shift in stance, aligning with an increasing number of European nations, critiques what many view as Israel’s most hardline government in history, which, in their estimation, is leading to unnecessary suffering for Palestinians. The French president has been vocal about pursuing a diplomatic framework for a post-war scenario in Gaza, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to articulate.
In light of the intensifying military exchanges between Israel and Iran, President Emmanuel Macron of France has confirmed that a significant U.N. conference focusing on the potential establishment of a Palestinian state has been temporarily delayed. Initially scheduled for next week, the conference was meant to be co-led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia and Macron himself.
Macron expressed regret over the decision, which stems from the inability of key regional figures, including Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, to attend due to the deteriorating security situation. “The postponement is necessary for logistical, physical, security, and political reasons,” he remarked, maintaining the outlook that the endeavor toward a two-state resolution represented in the conference remains “unstoppable.”
This sentiment is not universally shared, particularly by the United States and Israel, both of whom have announced their intention to boycott the conference. A recent cable from the U.S. urged nations to avoid engagement, deeming the conference a method of coercing Israel amidst ongoing conflict.
France’s shift in stance, aligning with an increasing number of European nations, critiques what many view as Israel’s most hardline government in history, which, in their estimation, is leading to unnecessary suffering for Palestinians. The French president has been vocal about pursuing a diplomatic framework for a post-war scenario in Gaza, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to articulate.
