The United States has warned countries planning to attend a United Nations conference organized by French President Emmanuel Macron that supporting anti-Israel measures could be seen as acting against American foreign policy interests and may trigger serious diplomatic consequences, according to a U.S. State Department cable revealed Wednesday by Reuters.
The cable, sent Tuesday, urges nations to avoid endorsing or even implying support for "anti-Israel actions"—including sanctions—that may emerge from the summit, which is scheduled to take place in New York from Tuesday through Saturday. The U.S. reiterated its opposition to any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state and expressed doubt that the upcoming discussions would help promote peace on the ground. “On the contrary, they will undermine Israel's security,” the cable reportedly states.
The conference, backed by the UN and spearheaded by Macron, is expected to focus on reviving the two-state solution—an increasingly divisive issue amid the ongoing war in Gaza and international tensions over the fate of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Last month, diplomatic sources predicted Macron would ultimately refrain from recognizing a Palestinian state as an outcome of the summit. “Israel should not be concerned by the international conference,” French diplomatic officials told Ynet ahead of the gathering, which will take place at UN headquarters.
In a letter sent this week to Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas voiced support for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control over Gaza, condemned the October 7 terror attack, and called for the immediate release of all hostages.
According to the Élysée Palace, Abbas offered what it called “unprecedented, concrete commitments” signaling a genuine willingness to advance the two-state solution.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
The letter also included Abbas’s openness to welcoming Arab and international forces under a UN Security Council mandate to help stabilize and protect a future Palestinian state. He pledged that the prospective state would have no military ambitions and expressed readiness to pursue arrangements that benefit all parties, so long as the state receives international protection.
The Élysée hailed the statement as a sign of serious intent. However, tensions remain high. Just last week, Macron warned he may take “concrete steps” against Israel, saying in a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that France was still weighing whether to adopt a tougher stance.
The Foreign Ministry condemned Macron’s remarks, saying recognition of a Palestinian state would reward Hamas. “It is regrettable that the French President is once again trying to apply pressure on Israel, failing to understand that Hamas is solely responsible for the war, its continuation, and the humanitarian hardship," the ministry said. "There is a concrete American proposal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Israel said yes to the proposal; Hamas said no. The U.S. has clarified that Hamas said no. President Macron’s idea of recognizing a Palestinian state, if successful, will only end up empowering Hamas."