Macron: ‘Unilateral initiatives’ do not solve Israel-Palestine conflict

French President Emanuel Macron slapped on Tuesday reiterating that “unilateral initiatives” do not solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, news agencies reported.

Macron stressed that ignoring the Palestinians’ rights and pushing forward initiatives which are in favour of Israel are not the right things to do to achieve peace.

“What can resolve the crisis between Israel and Palestine? Not unilateral initiatives, nor trampling on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to legitimate peace nor underestimating Israel’s fair right to security,” he said at the UN General Assembly.

He added: “There is no credible alternative to the two-state solution living side by side in peace and security with Jerusalem as capital.”

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Macron also called on Israel, according to Reuters, to end policies that undermined the possibility of a peace agreement. “Continuing this path would be a mistake,” he said.

His comments came after US President Donald Trump claimed that “the United States is committed to a future of peace in the Middle East, including between the Israelis and the Palestinians. That aim has been advanced, not harmed.”

“America’s policy of principled realism means we will not be held hostage to so-called experts who have been proven wrong over the years, time and time again. We will not return to the Human Rights Council until real reform is enacted.”

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“We will also not provide any support to the International Criminal Court,” Trump added, explaining it “has no authority” and is “violating all principles of justice and due process.”

Macron said France would increase its donations to the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) which Trump stopped supporting.

The French president also reiterated the importance of dialogue and plurality regarding Iran’s nuclear issue, stressing that the 2015 deal curbed the Iranian military nuclear programme.

He also said that his country would support reforming the UN Security Council and including new permanent members to it.

UNRWA’s lifeline is decreasing due to the cuts made by the Trump administration – Cartoon [AlArabi21News/Twitter]