France is "determined" to recognize the Palestinian state, the French foreign minister said, condemning Israel for the "unacceptable" situation in Gaza created by its military campaign and humanitarian blockade.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also confirmed that Paris supports the Netherlands' initiative to review the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Israel, which could affect political and economic ties.
President Emmanuel Macron left open the possibility that France could become the next European country to recognize the Palestinian state at the UN conference in June.
"We cannot leave the children of Gaza a legacy of violence and hatred. That is why all this must stop and why we are determined to recognize the Palestinian state," Barre said on France Inter radio, quoted by AFP.
"I am working actively in this direction because we want to contribute to a political solution in the interest of the Palestinians, but also for the security of Israel," he added.
Barre spoke after Macron joined British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a rare joint statement that angered Israel.
The statement said that "we will not remain indifferent," threatened "further concrete actions" if Israel continues to block aid, and declared that "we are committed to the recognition of a Palestinian state."
Asked to elaborate on what those actions might be, Barroso again called on the EU to agree to the Netherlands' request to review the association agreement between Israel and the bloc and, in particular, to examine whether Israel is violating its commitments under the agreement in the area of human rights.
He said this raised "the possibility of a possible suspension" of the agreement, which has both political and commercial dimensions.
"Neither Israel nor the EU has an interest in ending this agreement," he added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has allowed a limited amount of humanitarian aid after more than two and a half months of a complete blockade of the Palestinian territory, which is facing a catastrophic humanitarian situation.
Barro, however, said this was "completely insufficient."
The situation in Gaza is "indefensible because the blind violence and blockade of humanitarian aid by the Israeli government have turned Gaza into a death trap, if not a graveyard."
In a warning to Israel, he added: "When you sow violence, you reap violence." | BGNES