French foreign minister opens UN Palestinian statehood conference, says there is 'no alternative' to two-state solution

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that "there is no alternative" to a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine in his opening address to the much-anticipated UN conference on Palestinian statehood.

“Only a political two-state solution will help respond to the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security,” added Barrot, who is co-chairing the conference alongside Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud.

The comment follows France's decision to formally recognise Palestinian statehood last Thursday, following increasing domestic and international pressure amid Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, which various rights groups have stated constitutes genocide. 

Other major European powers, such as Germany and the UK, also nominally support a two-state solution to the conflict, but have long been reticent to formally recognise a Palestinian state.