[Source/Observer Network by Ruan Jiaqi]

On local time June 11, British media Reuters reported citing a US diplomatic cable that the Trump administration is attempting to block governments of various countries, requesting them not to participate in the Middle East peace conference to be held next week at the UN headquarters in New York.

The US side used as an excuse that this meeting aimed at promoting the "two-state solution" would be counterproductive to the ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations and efforts to rescue hostages, therefore "urging governments of various countries not to attend this meeting".

According to reports, this diplomatic cable sent on Tuesday claimed that "the US opposes any unilateral steps towards recognizing Palestine as a state, which will add significant legal and political obstacles to the final resolution of the conflict and may coerce Israel during the war, thus supporting its enemies."

In the cable, the US also threatened that countries taking "anti-Israel actions" after the meeting would be considered as going against US foreign policy interests and might face diplomatic consequences from Washington. Meanwhile, the US will oppose any support for potential actions at the meeting, including boycotts, sanctions against Israel, and other punitive measures.

According to Reuters, the high-level meeting on implementing the "two-state solution", to be held in New York at the UN headquarters from June 17 to 20, was jointly organized by France and Saudi Arabia. It aims to restart the "two-state solution" concept, formulate a framework for the establishment of a Palestinian state, and ensure Israel's security.

French President Emmanuel Macron previously hinted that France might recognize Palestine at this meeting. Reuters pointed out that if he persists with this statement, France will become the first "Western heavyweight country" to recognize Palestine.

Neither the US State Department nor the French Foreign Ministry commented on this. An anonymous European diplomat criticized this, saying, "Nothing can surprise me anymore. I think few countries will give up attending. This is bullying behavior, and it's foolish."

On June 8, 2024, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered around the White House that day, urging Biden to stop all military aid to Israel and calling for Israel to immediately cease its war behavior in Gaza. Video screenshot.

Reuters cited French officials as saying that France has been striving to avoid conflicts with the US over the Israeli issue. However, as Israel's offensive against the Gaza Strip intensifies, and the violence against Palestinians by settlers in the occupied West Bank continues to escalate, Paris increasingly believes that action must be taken before the "two-state solution" disappears completely.

Meanwhile, in Europe, the UK, Germany, Netherlands, and France are considering trade sanctions and arms embargoes against Israel to help end the conflict. German Chancellor Melchior said that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip can no longer be justified under the pretext of "anti-terrorism needs."

This week, the UK and Canada, both allies of the US in the Group of Seven (G7), as well as Norway, New Zealand, and Australia, issued a joint statement announcing sanctions against Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu to end the Gaza war. The sanctions include freezing their assets and banning entry.

On local time June 10, US Secretary of State Rubio released a statement criticizing the sanctions imposed by the five countries on two far-right cabinet members.

"These sanctions do not contribute to advancing the US-led efforts for a ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and the end of the war," Rubio said. "The US urges the cancellation of these sanctions and stands with Israel."

Bloomberg's report on the same day pointed out that Rubio's criticism of the five allies reflects the widening gap between the US and its allies on the Middle East conflict and the treatment of Palestinians.

Although the US has supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state for decades, newly appointed US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated this Tuesday that "there is no space for this unless some major cultural changes occur." He does not believe that establishing an independent Palestinian state remains a goal of US foreign policy.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Huckabee even proposed that a piece of land could be carved out from a Muslim country for Palestine to establish its state, rather than requiring Israel to vacate space.

According to Reuters, when asked on local time June 10 whether Huckabee's remarks represent a change in US policy, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce refused to comment and said that policy-making belongs to Trump and the White House.

"I won't explain these, nor will I make any comments on them. I think his words represent himself," Bruce said.

This article is an exclusive article of Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514980627234652684/

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