Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and France’s President Emmanuel Macron spoke on the phone on Tuesday, SPA reported. The two leaders discussed regional developments, including the Palestinian territories and Gaza, with the Crown Prince urging an immediate end to the Gaza war, and condemning actions undermining the two-state solution.

Two-state conference to go ahead: The Saudi-French co-hosted two-state solution conference is slated for 22 September in New York, Macron said on X. Prerequisites for peace set by the two leaders include a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and large-scale humanitarian aid for Gaza. He also mentioned a post-conflict plan involving Hamas’ disarmament, reforming the Palestinian Authority, and rebuilding Gaza.

The US is throwing a wrench: Macron criticized a recent US decision to deny visas to Palestinian officials, calling it “unacceptable” and urging Washington to reverse the move to ensure their participation.

REMEMBER- The Kingdom and France co-hosted a UN ministerial conference in New York inJuly in a meeting — backed by 125 countries, including 50 ministries — that aimed to map out steps toward the creation of a Palestinian state and a long-term resolution to the conflict, despite the absence of Israel and the US.

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