Macron presses Israel on West Bank and two-state solution

The French President will co-chair a conference on the establishment of Palestine with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

French President Emmanuel Macron participates in the One Water Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Saudi Royal Palace / AP

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Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must clarify policy on Israel's settlements in the West Bank after a minister said he was preparing for annexation, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday during a state visit to Saudi Arabia.

“I think it supposes a political clarification in particular in Israel because today, some people have taken a very hard line and give the impression of acting in an uninhibited manner,” he said in Riyadh.

There are concerns that US president-elect Donald Trump will do little to stop Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, whose department is in charge of settlements, from ordering them to prepare for the annexation of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Mr Netanyahu, who rejects the idea of a Palestinian state, has yet to comment on Mr Smotrich's ideas.

Two-state solution conference

Mr Macron also announced that he would co-chair a two-state solution conference in June with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

He said opposing the possible annexation was a “priority” for France, which would not give up on the idea of a Palestinian state. He was speaking to reporters at a water summit in Riyadh.

Macron and Saudi Crown Prince discuss Lebanon, Gaza and economic ties

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Earlier this year, Mr Macron and France chose not to recognise Palestinian statehood, when Norway, Spain and Ireland did.

On Tuesday, Mr Macron said he would recognise Palestinian statehood “at the right moment” and at a time when it encourages reciprocal movements of recognition”.

“We want to involve several other partners and allies, both European and non-European, who are ready to move in this direction but who are waiting for France,” he added.

Mr Macron said there was a simultaneous aim to “trigger a movement of recognition in favour of Israel", which he said could “provide answers in terms of security for Israel and convince people that the two-state solution is a solution that is relevant for Israel”.

Discussion on regional crises

The war in Gaza and the recent ceasefire in Lebanon were discussed at the meeting between Mr Macron and Prince Mohammed on Monday. Speaking shortly before a one-on-one dinner with the Saudi leader, the French President said they would discuss regional crises again on Tuesday after spending the day at a series of summits to boost business ties between the two countries.

The two leaders want to continue keeping the pressure for negotiators to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, Mr Macron said, with the support of the incoming US administration.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Saudi Arabia - in pictures

French President Emmanuel Macron on a tour as part of his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, on December 3. SPA

Mr Macron is greeted at one of his stops on December 3. SPA

Mr Macron oversees the signing of Saudi-French agreements in Riyadh. SPA

Mr Macron accompanied by members of his delegation. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Mr Macron and chief executives of French companies on the sidelines of the OneWaterSummit in Riyadh on December 3. SPA

Prince Mohammed with one of the French chief executives. SPA

Prince Mohammed and Mr Macron with the French leaders of industry on the sidelines of the OneWaterSummit. SPA

Prince Mohammed speaks with Mr Macron on the second day of the French President's three-day visit, at the OneWaterSummit in Riyadh on December 3. SPA

Mr Macron and Prince Mohammed after the French President's arrival in Riyadh on December 2. SPA

Prince Mohammed and Mr Macron hold talks as their delegations watch on. SPA

Prince Mohammed and Mr Macron are discussing bolstering the Lebanese army's presence in the country's south, as part of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement, and strengthening bonds between France and Saudi Arabia. SPA

Mr Macron meets Saudi officials, accompanied by Prince Mohammed. Saudi Royal Palace / AP

Prince Mohammed and Mr Macron inspect an honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Royal Palace in Riyadh. Saudi Royal Palace / AP

Mr Macron and Prince Mohammed before their meeting in Riyadh on December 2. All photos from here on: AFP

Mr Macron met Prince Mohammed in Riyadh as part of a three-day visit to the kingdom

Mr Macron and Prince Mohammed walk past an honour guard

Mr Macron and Prince Mohammed were to discuss matters including the stationing of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the country's south

Prince Mohammed welcomes French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who is part of Mr Macron's delegation to the kingdom

Prince Mohammed greets French presidential diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne in Riyadh

Mr Macron is received by Prince Mohammed on his arrival in Riyadh

Mr Macron is welcomed by Prince Mohammed after arriving in the Saudi capital on Monday for a three-day visit

French and Saudi flags fly at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh

Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Deputy Governor of the Riyadh region, greets Mr Macron

Mr Macron shakes the hands of Saudi dignitaries after disembarking in Riyadh

The scene is set on the tarmac for Mr Macron's arrival

On Lebanon, the priority is to maintain the ceasefire, despite claims of breaches on the Israeli and Hezbollah sides. France and Saudi Arabia will work together on supporting the Lebanese army, Mr Macron said.

“What we are going to discuss this evening are the modalities of a road map to be able to help the Lebanese Armed Forces not simply to redeploy and stabilise but, as was announced by [military chief] Gen [Joseph] Aoun, to be able to increase their capacities both in terms of men and in terms of equipment.”

Lebanon reconstruction talks

Another matter of diplomatic importance is the return of the about 1.3 million displaced people who fled southern Lebanon because of the war. This must happen with conditions that do not allow the return of Hezbollah in villages in the region, Mr Macron said.

“The deconfliction of the return of displaced persons is a very important point for us,” he said. “Then we'll be able to speak about reconstruction.

Mr Macron said a conference would be held on the matter at an appropriate moment.

Asked about the conflict in Syria, where there has been an escalation in fighting, and the position of President Bashar Al Assad, Mr Macron said that he “tried to be pragmatic".

France's priorities are to maintain its security priorities in the region, block the resurgence of terrorist groups and stop the rearming of Hezbollah.