One year on from the international conference in New York, which led several countries, including Luxembourg, to officially recognise the State of Palestine, the government intends to stay the course on the diplomatic front. Meeting in Paris on 12 June for the conference “Paris Call for a Two-State Solution”, 
Organised at the initiative of the French Foreign Ministry, the meeting brought together representatives of Palestinian and Israeli civil society, as well as several foreign ministers. The Foreign Minister also attended a working lunch hosted by his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot.
This conference comes at a time when the situation on the ground is continuing to deteriorate. The Foreign Office highlights the ongoing fighting and ceasefire violations in Gaza, the deteriorating humanitarian conditions, the acceleration of Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank, and rising regional tensions. Added to this, according to Luxembourg, is Hamas’s refusal to disarm – all factors that undermine the prospect of coexistence between an Israeli state and a Palestinian state.
Civil society organisations to support
In Paris, Xavier Bettel expressed particular concern about “the growing threats to the viability of the two-state solution”, citing in particular “the unprecedented rise in violence committed by settlers in the West Bank”. The minister also expressed his concerns regarding the difficulties encountered in moving to the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza and the repeated violations of it.
At the same time, the minister called for the Palestinian Authority to continue its reforms with the support of the international community. He also advocated for the holding of free elections across the whole of the Palestinian territories, as well as the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from any future governing body.
Luxembourg also emphasised the role played by civil society organisations. Xavier Bettel praised “the courage and commitment” of Palestinian and Israeli actors who are continuing their efforts to promote dialogue and reconciliation despite an environment that has become more hostile. The government has stated its intention to maintain its political and financial support for these organisations.
Concerns over access to Gaza
This stance also reflects growing concern regarding access to the Palestinian territories for humanitarian aid. Luxembourg is one of the 22 signatories to a diplomatic declaration published on 8 June following the Israeli Supreme Court’s rejection of an appeal lodged by several international NGOs against new legislation on their registration.
In this joint statement, the signatories condemn the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in Gaza and believe that the aid currently being allowed into the enclave remains woefully inadequate. They believe that the new law risks “severely limiting” the ability of international NGOs to operate in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
The signatory states reiterate that these organisations play a vital role in providing essential services, particularly in the areas of water, sanitation, health, education and mine clearance. They call on Israel not to implement the legislation in its current form and to guarantee ‘safe, rapid and unimpeded’ humanitarian access in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Alongside Luxembourg are, in particular, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Japan and Australia.
