US signals concern to UK and France about Palestinian state recognition

France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-host a major UN conference on the two-state solution beginning on 17 June in New York.

France is reportedly gearing up to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at the conference. France has been lobbying Britain to do so as well.

French officials believe the British government is onboard with the plan, according to French media.

But Washington privately begun to warn Britain and France against unilaterally recognizing Palestine, sources with knowledge of the matter in the British Foreign Office told Middle East Eye.

At the same time Arab states are urging them to proceed with the move, sources said.

In late May, UN member states held consultations in preparation for the conference during which the Arab Group urged states to recognize Palestinian statehood.

The Arab Group said they would measure the success of the conference by whether significant states recognize Palestine, Foreign Office sources added.

Approached for comment, the Foreign Office pointed to Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s statement on 20 May in which he reaffirmed UK support for a two-state solution.

Lammy has publicly opposed unilateral recognition, insisting earlier this year that the UK would only recognize a Palestinian state "when we know it’s going to happen and it’s in sight".

But in late April, Lammy acknowledged for the first time that Britain was in discussion with France and Saudi Arabia on the topic.

Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, told Middle East Eye: “There are no legitimate grounds for the US to interfere in a sovereign decision by Britain and France to recognise another state.

“A Franco-British recognition would be to acknowledge the Palestinian right to nationhood and to be equal partners in any future negotiations with Israel.”

Doyle added: “Based on precedent with this British government, US objection to recognition would be more likely to have an impact on Britain than on France.”

If France and Britain go ahead with the move, they will become the first G7 nations to recognise a Palestinian state.

The move would cause a political earthquake, since both France and Britain are among Israel's most important historic allies.