Finland joins France’s declaration on advancing two-state solution for Palestine
Finland has announced its support for France’s declaration promoting a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, signalling the future recognition of Palestine as part of a broader peace framework.
“Finland has joined France’s declaration on advancing the two-state solution. Together with our international partners, we are sending a clear and strong message: peace in the Middle East is essential to ending human suffering,” Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said on X.
Valtonen emphasised that peace is not only necessary but also possible, though it requires substantial effort.
“Last night, a few steps were taken in the right direction,” she added, referring to progress made during meetings at the current UN Conference on Palestine in New York.
The joint declaration commits its signatories to promoting a two-state solution, calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of captives and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. It also stresses the importance of the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to demilitarisation and the disarmament of Hamas.
Which countries have backed the French-led move calling for a two-state solution?
Fifteen countries have signed a joint declaration, led by France, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all captives held by Hamas, and a renewed international push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
They include Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain.
The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement late on Tuesday, saying the signatories “have already recognised, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognise the State of Palestine, as an essential step towards the two-state solution”.
“We invite all countries that have not done so to join this call,” the statement said.
In the United Kingdom, the British Prime Minister told his cabinet that the nation will recognise the state of Palestine by September unless Israel takes “substantive steps” to end its war on Gaza and commits to a lasting peace process. This move would be separate from the French-led initiative.
Feels to me like a cop out to avoid having to act now to stop the genocide/starvation. Arms embargo and sanctions are long overdue. Sure the two-state solution is much longer overdue, but many more imminent deaths and permanent damage from malnutrition need to be concentrated on first.
147 of the 193 UN countries already recognize Palestine. Jumping on a declaration to promote a 2-state solution now while more and more people are dying of starvation comes off as deflection / being able to say we were against the genocide. All those countries trade with Israel. They have a lot more leverage than a declaration.
