This is what Xavier Bettel ties in the recognition of Palestine

For Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel (DP), she wants to be no less than a « key moment for the two-state solution »: From 17th to June 20th June, the United Nations (UN) invited to a conference on the initiative of France and Saudi Arabia, which is again supposed to pave a possible way for a sovereign state of Palestine.

The only problem is that one of the central actors, Israel, will not take part in the consultations in New York.

This conference with the bulky title « High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two State Solution » is the alternative attempt to bring about a solution to the processed Middle East conflict without providing Israel, the decision of which is currently politically hopeless.

Israel’s absence was not due to him, Minister Bettel explained the journalist on Thursday morning in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. « The Secretary General of the UN has invited everyone. And why someone doesn’t come, I can’t tell you with the best will. »

The Netanyahu government in particular rejects the conference; The Israeli Prime Minister interprets the recognition of Palestine as a « reward of Hamas » and therefore sees that un-initiative as counterproductive for a possible peace process. Betting share the fear that Israel could see the consultations in New York against itself as an enemy act.

Bettel underlined that the international community for a sovereign Palestinian state cannot and should not only wait for Israel’s approval.

Netanyahu recently denied a delegation of Arab Foreign Minister access to President of the Palestinian Authority (AP) Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah. However, this encourages those critics who believe that Israel has little interest in an equal solution to the Middle East conflict.

Bettel: No symbol policy from Luxembourg

So how can a possible decision of the UN conference be in the absence of one of the main affected ones? « If a group of countries agreed on common positions, it has more effect in my opinion than before, » explains Bettel.

However, the US’s attitude is problematic. A text submitted on Wednesday (June 4) in the UN Security Council for an armistice was rejected by the United States, although 14 of the 15 countries organized there had approved the paper.

The United States is the most important political and military ally of Israel. Therefore, under these circumstances, it is difficult to « force an Israeli government into something ». Luxembourg’s attitude in the Palestine question has not changed. The government only wants to recognize the sovereignty of Palestine when the package of measures adopted at the upcoming conference is voice and thus supported by a large majority.

Palestine has so far been recognized as a state by over 140 countries, including important actors such as Russia, China and many countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. The recognition began in 1988 after the independence declaration of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).

Since then, numerous countries, including many European countries such as Sweden, Spain, Ireland and Norway, have taken this step. In May 2024, Norway, Spain and Ireland joined the list of countries that recognize Palestine as a state.

However, some western states, including the United States, Great Britain and Germany, Palestine refuse recognition.

Luxembourg does not want to pursue a symbol policy that anyway does not change the situation in Gaza and West Bank. « Even if Luxembourg acknowledged it today, the bombs would not stop falling on Palestine tomorrow, » said the minister on Thursday. And: « Then our Luxembourg flag would hang on the main square in Ramallah, and we would have three or four days to say thank you. But then it would not work in Gaza. »

Rather, he hopes to adopt a « package », which the Grand Duchy can join politically and then also materially. Politically, because this permits the recognition of the autonomy of a Palestinian state on the part of the Grand Duchy, and materially because it will also need a means of reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure in Gaza.

Package of measures must be right

The minister explains exactly how the package that is capable of consent should look like. There is initially the deradicalization. This includes the disarmament of Hamas and the exile of the managers. Where? That left beggar open.

The repayment of terrorist propaganda from school books is also meant. In this context, the UN Aid Work for Palestine Labels (Unwra) had come under criticism. Israel accuses UNWRA employees of being involved in the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023. As a result, the Israeli government issued two laws that make it practically impossible to maintain their work in the Palestinian areas.

In the books used by Untra in their schools, there were actually evidence of the glorification of terror, for example with the iconization of the leader of a Palestinian killer command, which in the 1970s committed a massacre of bus occupations in Tel Aviv.

During his last Middle East trip in October 2024, Foreign Minister Bettel confronted UNWAR with the allegations. The scene with the « word » was on the short message service X viral.

Another component of the package is the reconstruction. In particular, the use of the Arab countries is required here. « We have to make sure that the Arab and Muslim countries show solidarity with Palestine, » said Bettel. « We cannot say that you are not responsible for this, » continued the minister.

In addition to new elections, the PA wants to move to recognize the terrorist attack on October 7 as such. So far, she had refused several times to call it a terrorist attack. Instead, vague formulations were used that accused the attack on the attack or even the Israeli side.

On the day of the attack, President Mahmud Abbas said that Palestinians had the right to defend themselves against the « terrorist of the settlers and crew troops ». It was not until a week later that he distanced himself from Hamas by explaining whose deeds did not represent the Palestinian people. However, this statement was later removed by the official news agency, which raised doubts about the authenticity.

« In addition, it is important that a normalization of relationships between different Muslim states is also associated with Israel in order to show that the Muslim world is also good will, » explained Bettel on the last condition that the UN package must take into account.

Accordingly, it is not a question of only involving the Palestinians, but also that relationships between Israel and Muslims improve in the future. Corresponding contact has already been made.

Doubts to succeed

Minister only said that whether the participants of the conference in New York will agree on a suitable package and could possibly bring the breakthrough for the Middle East. « We hope that this key moment in New York will not be missed. My greatest wish would be if I could give you an explanation from New York in two weeks that Luxembourg Palestine recognizes. »

If there is no agreement in New York, « then I hope that we can organize another meeting six months later, in order to carry out a follow-up and see if something happens, whether the package is right, » the minister concludes.