Bruno Finel

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has increasingly come to resemble a Spanish version of Emmanuel Macron: unpopular at home, politically weakened, and desperate to seize on causes that might rally public opinion. In Sánchez’s case, that cause has become the Palestinian questio

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday that she is not opposed to the recognition of a Palestinian state, but only under two conditions: the release of hostages held by Hamas and the exclusion of the Islamist movement from any future Palestinian government.

Several European capitals — Paris, London, Lisbon, Luxembourg, and even Monte Carlo (yes, Monaco, between a casino and a yacht party) — have proudly recognized the “State of Palestine.” Speeches were made, flags were waved, and lofty declarations about peace and justice filled the air.

In a coordinated announcement on Sunday, Britain, Canada, and Australia formally recognized a Palestinian state, citing frustration with the ongoing Gaza war and the need to revive prospects for a two-state solution. 

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty traveled to New York on Sunday to take part in the High-Level Meetings of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80). 

Spain’s judiciary announced Thursday the creation of a task force to investigate “human rights violations in Gaza” with the stated goal of providing evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

On Wednesday, France condemned Israel’s renewed ground offensive in Gaza City, calling it a “destructive campaign” that has “no further military logic.” 

Luxembourg has announced plans to recognize the State of Palestine during a conference in New York next week, joining a growing list of countries backing the so-called "two-state solution." 

The credibility of the United Nations has once again come under fire following the latest remarks of Francesca Albanese, the UN-appointed “Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories.” 

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun paid a solemn tribute on Saturday to Bachir Gemayel, the slain president-elect whose assassination on September 14, 1982, remains one of the darkest moments in Lebanon’s modern history.

Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, said Friday that Damascus is in negotiations with Israel on a possible security agreement that could see Israeli troops withdraw from areas they have occupied since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad last December.

Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha on Wednesday, affirming his country’s “absolute solidarity” with Qatar in preserving its security and stability.