UK, France and Germany say Gaza ‘humanitarian catastrophe must end now’
Amid fears of mass starvation, leaders of the three nations are demanding that Israel allow unrestricted aid into the area
The joint statement, issued after a call on Friday between Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, called for an immediate ceasefire and said that “withholding essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable”, though it broke no new diplomatic ground.
The leaders said they “stand ready to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political process that leads to lasting security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region”, but did not say what that action might be.
All three support a Palestinian state in principle, but Germany said it had no immediate plans to follow France’s step, which Macron plans to formalise at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Britain has not followed suit either, but Starmer is under mounting pressure to formally recognise Palestinian statehood, both from opposition lawmakers and from members of his own Labour Party government.