An international conference scheduled for June 6th aims to develop a comprehensive plan for Palestinian statehood, but Israel and its key ally, the United States, are pushing back against what they view as a unilateral initiative that sidelines Israeli concerns.
The United Nations conference, led by France and Saudi Arabia, will bring together global participants to establish specific deadlines and enforcement mechanisms for creating a Palestinian state. The initiative has drawn criticism from Israeli officials who argue that the conference bypasses Israel's position on the matter entirely.
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US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee delivered a sharp rebuke of the French and Saudi Arabian efforts, suggesting that if France wants to create a Palestinian state, it should "carve out a piece of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state."
"They are welcome to do that," Huckabee said, "but they are not welcome to impose that kind of pressure on a sovereign nation." The United States, Israel's strongest ally, will notably be absent from the conference proceedings.
The conference has attracted participation from the European Union, prompting Israeli Ambassador to the EU Haim Regev to express significant concern. Regev characterized the conference as more troubling than the EU's recent decision to review its association agreement with Israel.
Israeli officials have made clear their firm opposition to the summit, warning that any unilateral moves by European states will be met with reciprocal unilateral steps by Israel.
