- The French Foreign Minister stated that this engagement between Paris and Riyadh will inspire more governments in Europe to recognise Palestinian statehood.
- Questions regarding statehood, international law, human rights, humanitarian law and sovereignty regarding Palestine are now taking centre stage at the UNGA.
- This partnership provides a new angle on how cross-regional alliances can be forged to counter humanitarian crises and resolve conflicts peacefully.
France and Saudi Arabia have come together with a new diplomatic alignment regarding recognition of Palestine and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This partnership marks a subtle shift in global diplomacy concerning countries recognising the Palestinian Statehood and the ongoing conflict and the serious humanitarian crisis in the region. The French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, have come together representing their countries’ similar interests in bringing the issue of recognition of Palestine to the global centre stage.
The French Foreign Minister stated that this engagement between Paris and Riyadh will inspire more governments in Europe to recognise Palestinian statehood. The Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was going to push for the World Bank to authorise the transfer of $300 to Gaza and the West Bank to help alleviate the severe humanitarian conditions in the region, which has been one of the worst in the history of the region.
The issue in Gaza and the West Bank has not just triggered but also garnered a huge global attention. Saudi Arabia and France thus showcase how a rules-based international order of today can help solve this crisis through a peaceful settlement. Questions regarding statehood, international law, human rights, humanitarian law and sovereignty regarding Palestine are now taking centre stage. This also reflects how, though multilateral diplomacy and organisations may have failed in preventing many conflicts and maintaining peace around the world, they are still relevant today. With many countries now making a major shift in their foreign policy by deciding to recognise Palestine and announce the same at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), it brings multilateralism and its influence on global politics back into the picture.
This joint diplomatic effort, showcased by both France and Saudi Arabia, is thus much more than a symbolic gesture. It represents international diplomacy and multilateralism, especially the principles enshrined in the UN charter, which include peace, sovereignty and justice. As many countries have announced that they are ready to recognise Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly, this partnership provides a new angle on how cross-regional alliances can be forged to counter humanitarian crises and resolve conflicts peacefully. This significant step taken by the two countries may be a symbolic move, but simultaneously a very consequential move in the global lens of litigious diplomacy. They are thus providing a joint front for identity and humanity.
Vibha Hareesh has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Jindal Global University. She has a strong interest in geopolitics, international relations, and security studies. Views expressed are the author’s own.
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