The "two-state solution" American support requires direct negotiations amid German-French caution

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US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed on Wednesday that Washington supports the "two-state solution" as a basic policy in the Middle East, but believes that this must be achieved through direct negotiations between the two parties (Palestine and Israel) and not through unilateral recognition by some countries.

Sullivan stressed during a press briefing at the White House that the two-state solution can only be achieved through direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine, and that this path is the safest for Israel’s security and to ensure that the Palestinian people live in peace, as he put it.

Commenting on the recognition of the independent State of Palestine by Norway, Ireland and Spain, the official said that each country has the right to make its own decision.

He added that President Joe Biden has clear statements that "the two-state solution must be achieved through direct negotiations between the two parties (Palestine and Israel) and not through unilateral recognition."

Sullivan pointed out that this is a “principled position” that the United States has consistently adopted.

German-French caution

On the other hand, Germany and France confirmed on Wednesday that the decision of some countries to recognize Palestine as a state requires political, not symbolic, recognition.

This came in a joint press conference between German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, her French counterpart Stephane Sigourney, and Polish Radoslaw Sikorski, following their consultations within the framework of the talks format known as the "Weimar Triangle."

Commenting on the announcement by Norway, Ireland and Spain to recognize an independent Palestinian state, Baerbock said: “What is required is political recognition, not symbolic recognition, to resolve this terrible situation that we are currently witnessing.”

She pointed out that establishing an independent Palestinian state is a consistent goal of German and European foreign policy.

For his part, the French Foreign Minister said that recognizing Palestine as a state is not taboo for his country, adding at the same time that “recognition should not only be symbolic, but should also contribute to resolving the conflict.”

Earlier Wednesday, Norway, Ireland and Spain simultaneously announced, in response to a political campaign led by Madrid, officially recognizing the State of Palestine in accordance with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.

According to the governments of the three countries, the resolution will enter into force on May 28, granting Palestine all rights and duties as an independent state.

The decision comes more than 7 months after a fierce Israeli war against the Gaza Strip, which resulted in the martyrdom of tens of thousands of civilians, the majority of whom were women and children, in addition to major destruction of infrastructure and major facilities.