US pressures countries to boycott UN summit on Palestine recognition
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The US is urging allies to avoid a UN-backed conference on the two-state solution co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, warning of diplomatic consequences for supporting Palestinian statehood.
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A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a flag on the Brooklyn Bridge during a march Thursday, May 15, 2025, in New York. (AP)
US President Donald Trump's administration is actively discouraging global participation in an upcoming United Nations conference focused on the potential so-called two-state solution between "Israel" and Palestine, according to a diplomatic cable obtained by Reuters.
The cable, sent Tuesday, warns that countries supporting what the US calls "anti-Israel actions" following the conference may be seen as opposing US foreign policy interests and could face diplomatic repercussions.
France, Saudi Arabia co-host initiative despite US pushback
The conference, to be held next week in New York, is being co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia and aims to outline a framework for the creation of a Palestinian state while "preserving Israel’s security."
The US demarche directly contradicts the diplomatic stance of both allies. “We are urging governments not to participate in the conference, which we view as counterproductive to ongoing, lifesaving efforts to end the war in Gaza and free hostages,” the cable reads.
French President Emmanuel Macron has hinted at the possibility of recognizing a Palestinian state in territories occupied by "Israel". French officials said they have tried to avoid a public dispute with Washington over the issue.
Washington warns against unilateral recognition of Palestine
The cable further states, “The United States opposes any steps that would unilaterally recognise a conjectural Palestinian state, which adds significant legal and political obstacles to the eventual resolution of the conflict and could coerce Israel during a war, thereby supporting its enemies.”
The US also opposes any perceived endorsement by the conference of actions such as sanctions or boycotts against "Israel".
"Israel" has repeatedly condemned the upcoming UN conference, accusing it of legitimizing the October 7, 2023 operation by Hamas and rewarding armed resistance. It has also lobbied Paris to avoid recognition of a Palestinian state.
US no longer fully supports Palestinian state
US ambassador to the occupation entity, Mike Huckabee, said the United States no longer fully supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, suggesting instead that it could be formed elsewhere in the region.
In an interview with Bloomberg in occupied al-Quds, Huckabee stated, “Unless there are some significant things that happen that change the culture, there’s no room for it,” adding that such changes are unlikely “in our lifetime.”
When asked whether a Palestinian state remains a US policy objective, Huckabee responded, “I don’t think so.” He further suggested that a future Palestinian state could be established within a Muslim-majority country, asking rhetorically, “Does it have to be in Judea and Samaria?”, a term used by the Israeli regime for the West Bank, where around three million Palestinians live under occupation.
Read more: Four European nations urge full UN membership for Palestine
