A United Nations conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, intended to create a roadmap for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians, has been postponed following Israel’s attack on Iran, according to two sources.
A Western diplomatic source in Saudi Arabia indicated that the postponement is partly due to Israel’s actions against Iran.
The second source mentioned that some Middle Eastern delegations were unable or unwilling to attend due to recent developments.
Earlier, Ireland received a diplomatic cable from the US advising against participation in the conference scheduled for next week.
It is understood that this démarche has been communicated to all countries planning to attend.
However, during an appearance on RTÉ’s News at One, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris affirmed that Ireland would participate in the conference, despite the US cable.
“Let me be clear: Ireland absolutely will attend and actively participate in the two-state conference at the UN, and of course, the United States has every right to express its views regarding foreign policy,” he stated.
Mr. Harris continued: “However, we also have the right to assert our foreign policy, and the current situation in Gaza amounts to genocide.”
“Children are being left to starve, and the two-state solution is now further away than ever.”
“This is not the time for diplomatic cables; it’s the time for leadership to ensure that the starving children receive food, much of which is currently held in Jordan, and to help bring an end to this horrific genocidal activity,” he emphasized.
The Tánaiste remarked that it is the “very strong view of the Irish people” to end Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Read more: Follow live updates on Israel’s attack on Iran, UN General Assembly calls for Gaza ceasefire, pressure on Israel, Trump warns Iran that the next Israeli attack will be ‘more brutal.’
“It reflects the strong view of the Irish Government, and we have every right to express our foreign policy stance. The United States is well aware of our position, which aligns with the sentiments of many countries worldwide who are appalled by the events unfolding before them,” he added.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was scheduled to travel to New York to attend the meeting before it was postponed.
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Delegates were expected to deliberation on establishing a two-state solution that would see the creation of a Palestinian state in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem alongside Israel.
On Tuesday, the US dispatched a cable asserting that countries recognizing a Palestinian state and engaging in “anti-Israel actions,” such as sanctions and boycotts, would be viewed as acting against US interests and could face diplomatic repercussions.
“The United States opposes any implied support for the conference’s endorsement of potential actions such as boycotts and sanctions on Israel, as well as other punitive measures,” the cable stated.
The message further claimed that the conference undermined US initiatives with Egypt and Qatar aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives held by Hamas.
