France and Saudi Arabia will convene world leaders in New York on Monday at 3 p.m. local time to voice support for a Palestinian state ahead of this week’s U.N. General Assembly.
Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon described the event as a “circus,” according to Reuters.
“We don’t think it’s helpful. We think it’s actually rewarding terrorism,” Reuters cited him as telling reporters.
Both Israel and the United States are boycotting the summit.
Jerusalem is weighing bilateral measures against Paris, while government ministers are pushing to annex parts of Judea and Samaria in response to the growing number of countries formally recognizing Palestinian statehood.
The report added that the Trump administration has also warned of possible consequences for countries, including France, that take diplomatic action against Israel.
Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal recognized a Palestinian state on Sunday, with France and five other countries expected to follow suit later on Monday.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Thursday about the summit, “The New York Declaration is not a vague promise for the distant future, but rather a roadmap that begins with the top priorities: a ceasefire, the release of hostages and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. ... The next step is a plan for the day after, which will be on the agenda for Monday’s discussions,” per Reuters.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, co-hosting the event with French President Emmanuel Macron, will not attend in person but is expected to deliver an address by video.
The U.N. General Assembly endorsed a seven-page declaration this month outlining “tangible, timebound and irreversible steps” towards a two-state solution.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday that there will not be a Palestinian state and said that a response to the recognitions will come upon his return from a visit to the United States.
“I have a clear message to those leaders who have recognized a Palestinian state after the terrible massacre of Oct. 7: You are granting a huge prize to terrorism,” Netanyahu said. “And I have another message: It will not happen. There will be no Palestinian state west of Jordan.”
Meanwhile, Malta announced that it will officially recognize a Palestinian state at the conference on Monday.
“Malta’s position has always been consistent, supporting peace in the Middle East through dialogue and the establishment of two states,” Valletta said in a statement, according to Reuters.
The missive called for the unconditional release of the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.
The developments come amid Israel’s intensified military campaign in the Strip, where Israel Defense Forces troops are preparing to seize Hamas’s stronghold of Gaza City.
