Paris: France and 14 other Western nations have issued a call to countries worldwide to recognize a Palestinian state, as announced by France's top diplomat. This collective appeal was made public following a conference in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at reviving the two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians.

According to France24.com, the joint statement was released late Tuesday, with the foreign ministers of the 15 participating countries emphasizing their desire to recognize the State of Palestine. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot highlighted this initiative on the social media platform X, urging countries that have yet to make such a recognition to join their effort.

On the same day, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that the UK would formally recognize the State of Palestine in September, unless Israel takes certain substantial steps, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. This move, alongside France's initiative, positions the UK and France as the first G7 nations to potentially recognize Palestine formally.

The statement from the 15 nations underscored their unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution. Among the signatories, nine countries, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, have expressed a willingness or positive consideration to recognize the Palestinian state.

Additionally, during the conference, 17 countries, along with the European Union and the Arab League, called for Hamas to disarm and end its rule of Gaza, as part of efforts to conclude the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory.