Britain, France face US pressure over Palestine recognition at UN gathering

The United States has warned the United Kingdom and France against unilaterally recognising a Palestinian state at an upcoming UN conference. The conference, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to begin on June 17 in New York and aims to address the two-state solution.

France is reportedly preparing to recognise Palestine independently at the conference and has been lobbying Britain to join the move, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

French officials believe the British government is supportive, according to French media. However, Washington has privately cautioned both countries against such recognition, sources within the British Foreign Office said.

Arab states are encouraging Britain and France to proceed, with the Arab Group during UN consultations in late May urging member states to recognise Palestinian statehood. The group intends to measure the success of the conference by whether significant states endorse Palestine, Foreign Office sources added.

When approached, the UK Foreign Office referred to Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s May 20 statement reaffirming the UK’s commitment to a two-state solution. Lammy has opposed unilateral recognition, stating earlier this year that the UK would only recognise a Palestinian state "when we know it’s going to happen and it’s in sight." However, he acknowledged in April that Britain was in discussions with France and Saudi Arabia on the issue.

Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, said: “There are no legitimate grounds for the US to interfere in a sovereign decision by Britain and France to recognise another state. A Franco-British recognition would be to acknowledge the Palestinian right to nationhood and to be equal partners in any future negotiations with Israel.”

Doyle added: “Based on precedent with this British government, US objection to recognition would be more likely to have an impact on Britain than on France. What really counts is what President Trump himself thinks. Opposing unilateral recognition is an existing American position. But if I was in Downing Street, I would be asking what does the president himself believe - and how will he react?”

If the UK and France proceed, they would become the first G7 countries to recognise Palestine. French President Emmanuel Macron’s push for recognition has strong support within the European Union and Saudi Arabia, Alon Pinkas, a former adviser to Israeli foreign ministers, said.

Israel has warned that recognition may provoke serious repercussions. Last week, Israel’s strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer threatened Britain and France that Israel could annex parts of the West Bank if they recognise a Palestinian state, according to Haaretz.

Domestically, British pressure is growing. Doyle said, “Starmer is facing significant levels of anger throughout the entirety of the Labour party and the British public, even in circles that would ordinarily support the Israeli government.”

Labour MP Uma Kumaran, a member of Britain’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said: “This government was elected on a manifesto that promised to recognise Palestine as a step towards a just and lasting peace. I strongly support the recognition of a Palestinian state, and I have raised this repeatedly in parliament, on the Foreign Affairs Committee and with ministers.”

By Vafa Guliyeva