STATEMENT BY MR NICOLAS DE RIVIERE,
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF FRANCE TO THE UNITED NATIONS
TO THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)
New York, September 18, 2024
Madam President,
France is committed to the respect of international law. We reaffirm our full support of the International Court of Justice. As the Court indicated in its advisory opinion of July 2024, the settlements in the Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, constitute a violation of international law.
States have therefore the obligation not to recognise the situation resulting from the illegal presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. France will not recognise the illegal annexation of these territories.
We will ensure compliance with Security Council Resolution 2334, which aims to draw a distinction between the internationally recognised territory of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967.
In that spirit, France voted in favour of the draft resolution submitted by Palestine. We would have preferred it to stick completely to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion, but we commend the efforts undertaken to improve the initial draft.
France calls on this Assembly to condemn the flagrant violation of international law constituted by the terrorist attacks committed on 7 October 2023. We reiterate our solidarity with the Israeli people and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.
The continuation of Israeli settlements is a major obstacle to the two-state solution. This is the only way to guarantee a just and lasting peace. It is the only way to guarantee Israel’s long-term security. This entails the establishment of a Palestinian state, as well as a resumption of the peace negotiations.