US warns UK, France against recognizing Palestinian State

LONDON, June 04 (YPA) – The Middle East Eye website revealed that the United States has informally warned Britain and France against recognizing a Palestinian state during the UN conference on the two-state solution on June 17 in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.

The website reported that Paris plans to recognize the State of Palestine during the conference and is pressuring Britain to do the same.

Sources in the British Foreign Office reported that Washington warned London and Paris against making this decision without a negotiated agreement, while Arab countries continue to pressure for support for recognition.

The success of the conference will be measured by the progress of Western powers on this issue.

The British Foreign Office referred to Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s statement supporting the two-state solution, while stressing that recognition of a Palestinian state would only take place when it is possible.

If France and Britain proceed with this step, they would become the first two G7 countries to formally recognize the State of Palestine, which could lead to a diplomatic crisis with Israel.

An Israeli minister warned of retaliation by annexing parts of the West Bank if recognition is achieved without negotiation.

YPA