Luxembourg has said it will join a raft of countries recognizing the State of Palestine at a United Nations summit in New York next week. French President Emmanuel Macron is spearheading the drive to recognize a Palestinian state as international condemnation grows of Israel over its nearly two-year offensive in Gaza.
Speaking to journalists late Monday, September 15, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden said that "the situation on the ground has deteriorated considerably in recent months. A movement is now emerging in Europe and around the world to demonstrate that the two-state solution is still relevant. That is why the Luxembourg government intends to join those who recognize the State of Palestine at next week's conference on the two-state solution."
Countries including Britain, Australia, Canada and Belgium have said they plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the meeting at the UN General Assembly. Israel and its ally the United States have blasted the push, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Monday the move "emboldened" Hamas.
UN investigators on Tuesday accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza in a bid to "destroy the Palestinians," blaming Israel's prime minister and other top officials for incitement.