French foreign minister opens UN Palestinian statehood conference, says there is 'no alternative' to two-state solution

At the UN conference on Palestinian statehood, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized the necessity of a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace. Barrot co-chaired the conference alongside Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud. His comments followed France's recent formal recognition of Palestinian statehood, spurred by domestic and international pressure amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While other European powers nominally support a two-state solution, they have hesitated to formally recognize a Palestinian state.