4 d. ago Dismay in New Zealand after government fails to recognise Palestinian statehood

PM Christopher Luxon had suggested recognition was only a matter of time, prompting disappointment from opposition parties and activistsOpposition parties, Palestinian groups and a former prime minister have expressed dismay over New Zealand’s decision not to recognise Palestinian statehood, saying it places the country on the wrong side of history and puts it at odds with its traditional allies.Last week, the UK, Canada, Australia and others formally declared their recognition of statehood ahead of a special UN conference in New York. As of this month, 157 of the 193 UN member countries have recognised a Palestinian state. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Benjamin Netanyahu met by mass walkout of diplomats as he addresses UN

The Israeli PM, who is subject to an international criminal arrest warrant, had pledged to blast heads of countries which have recognised Palestinian statehood before flying to the US

Politics

7 d. ago Recognising statehood is the minimum – now the EU must protect Palestine with money

As Europe’s socialist leaders, we call for a trade deal and aid package for Palestine – along with sanctions on Israel to halt the genocideApplause rang out through the UN general assembly this month after it endorsed the so-called New York declaration on the revival of the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Adopted by a large majority, 142 countries, this initiative from France and Saudi Arabia offers a rare glimmer of hope in one of the most devastating crises of our time.Separately, the conclusions of the UN commission of inquiry have echoed what human rights organisations and genocide experts have been warning for months: Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. As the ground invasion of Gaza City intensifies, the international community has a legal and moral obligation to act. This includes the immediate imposition of sanctions on Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to halt war crimes.Pedro Sánchez is the president of the Socialist International, secretary general of PS...

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8 d. ago Annie Lennox: 'War in Gaza must stop after October 7 atrocities opened gates of hell'

Annie Lennox, who is celebrating 50 years in showbiz, has re-released her hit single with all the money raised going to Palestinian-led organisations on the front line in Gaza

Events

1 week ago France recognises Palestinian statehood and calls for end to Israeli war in Gaza

President Emmanuel Macron says ‘nothing justifies’ further conflict in enclave

Politics

1 week ago Emmanuel Macron declares France has joined UK in recognising Palestinian statehood

"We've gathered here because the time has come," Mr Macron said at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Politics

1 week ago Starmer finally said it: ‘We recognise Palestine.’ But Gaza desperately needs action – where is that? | Nesrine Malik

The British PM and others offered fine words, but after all the horror, many will say too little, too late. Palestinians need unfettered support – and nowWelcome, but behind the curve. That is the summary of the coordinated recognition of a Palestinian state by Canada, Australia and Britain. The emphatic gesture is a historical moment where the record is not written, but corrected. Palestinian statehood has always existed, and recognising that fact confers credibility on the recognisers, and not the Palestinian claim to their inalienable rights.As part of the shifting tide against Israel, even in the United States, recognition of a Palestinian state enshrines what the Israeli state seems committed to erasing once and for all – the legitimate claim of Palestinians to their own land. Naming and insisting on Palestinian statehood is vital. As the activist Arab Barghouthi told the Guardian last week, the recognition protects the idea of a Palestinian state, because the Israeli governmen...

Politics

1 week ago Keir Starmer to officially announce Britain will recognise Palestinian statehood

The PM is expected to make the announcement on Sunday, after promising to do so in July if the situation in Gaza did not improve

Politics

2 w. ago What the UK’s recognition of Palestinian statehood will mean

What does the decision entail and which other countries are joining Britain in recognition?The UK is expected to formally recognise Palestinian statehood in the coming days, having shifted its position on the subject in July, shortly after Emmanuel Macron announced that France would be making a formal announcement on statehood at the UN in New York this Monday. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago France should have recognised Palestinian statehood years ago. The cynic in me asks: why now? | Rokhaya Diallo

Weakened domestically, Emmanuel Macron wants an international legacy. Yet still, he does nothing to sanction IsraelWhen Emmanuel Macron announced that France intended to recognise Palestinian statehood, he drew a furious rebuke from Israel – and caused a diplomatic storm with the US. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, wrote a letter accusing the French government of failing to “confront the alarming rise of antisemitism” in France, adding the harsh and unequivocal assessment: “Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this antisemitic fire.”In the same letter, he praised Donald Trump’s action to “protect the civil rights of American Jews”.Rokhaya Diallo is a Guardian Europe columnist Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Starmer to recognise Palestinian statehood this weekend, reports suggest

The Prime Minister has previously said he plans to recognise Palestinian statehood ahead of the United Nations general assembly this month.

Politics

4 w. ago Israel’s president to visit London next Thursday for expected talks with ministers

Exclusive: Isaac Herzog will make trip just weeks before UK is planning to recognise statehood of PalestineIsrael’s president will visit London next Thursday just weeks before the UK is expected to recognise the state of Palestine at the UN general assembly, the Guardian understands.Two sources have confirmed Isaac Herzog is expected to meet UK ministers and senior political figures – the first time a senior Israeli leader has been in Britain since the foreign secretary, David Lammy, met his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, on an unannounced visit in the spring. Continue reading...

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