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France Says Conditions Not Right to Recognize Palestinian State

Oded Balilty / File photo by The AP
Oded Balilty / File photo by The AP
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France Says Conditions Not Right to Recognize Palestinian State

Oded Balilty / File photo by The AP
Oded Balilty / File photo by The AP

France said on Wednesday conditions were not right to officially recognize a Palestinian state and that such a decision must be more than just symbolic or political posturing.

Remarks by Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne distanced France from Ireland, Spain and Norway, which said on Wednesday they would recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, hoping to accelerate efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

"France does not consider that the conditions have yet been met for this decision to have a real impact on this process," Sejourne said after talks in Paris with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

Paris has previously said recognizing a Palestinian state is not taboo, but should be part of a broader effort to achieve a two-state solution between Palestinians and Israelis.

Despite lobbying by several European countries and some Arab states to recognize a Palestinian state, France has said that doing so would do little to change the situation on the ground without genuine negotiations, Reuters reported.

"This is not just a symbolic issue or a question of political positioning, but a diplomatic tool in the service of the solution of two states living side by side in peace and security", Sejourne said.

French diplomats say symbolic recognition will be of no use, especially without real momentum towards a political process supported by the United States, Israel's main ally.

France has been working on a draft UN Security Council resolution that it hopes to table over the summer.

It wants to bring the parameters for talks on a two-state solution back to the Security Council.

The US believes a Palestinian state should be achieved through negotiations and not unilateral recognition, and has the power of veto at the United Nations.

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North Korea’s Kim Oversees Test-Fire of Surface-to-Air Missiles

This picture taken on March 20, 2025 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on March 21, 2025 shows a test-fire of the latest anti-aircraft missile system to examine its comprehensive performance at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (KCNA via KNS / AFP)
This picture taken on March 20, 2025 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on March 21, 2025 shows a test-fire of the latest anti-aircraft missile system to examine its comprehensive performance at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (KCNA via KNS / AFP)
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North Korea’s Kim Oversees Test-Fire of Surface-to-Air Missiles

This picture taken on March 20, 2025 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on March 21, 2025 shows a test-fire of the latest anti-aircraft missile system to examine its comprehensive performance at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (KCNA via KNS / AFP)
This picture taken on March 20, 2025 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on March 21, 2025 shows a test-fire of the latest anti-aircraft missile system to examine its comprehensive performance at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (KCNA via KNS / AFP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-firing of the country's latest anti-aircraft missile system on Thursday, state media KCNA reported, as some experts said Pyongyang was probably getting technical help from Russia to perfect such systems.

Kim thanked what was referred to as a research group for the system. The test-firing showed it was "highly reliable" and its combat response was "advantageous," KCNA said in its report on Friday.

The test conducted by North Korea's Missile Administration was to examine the performance of a system whose production has already begun, it said.

KCNA did not specify where the test was held, but said Kim was joined by members of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

Photographs supplied by KCNA showed a plume from a missile soaring into the sky and a mid-air explosion. Other images showed Kim apparently observing the test and then smiling.

Experts said Pyongyang might be receiving help from Russia for the anti-aircraft missile system, particularly given how security ties have become increasingly entwined.

"In the past North Korea has introduced Soviet weapon systems and developed weapons based on them, and it is highly likely that Russia has given correspondingly what North Korea demands because of the strengthening of cooperation," said Shin Seung-ki, head of research on North Korea's military at the state-run Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.

South Korea's national security adviser said last year that Russia had provided North Korea with anti-air missiles and air defense equipment in return for sending troops to support Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

Shin also noted although North Korea has made ballistic missiles on its own, it was far harder to produce interceptor missiles without additional help.

"It's much more complicated because there's not just missiles, but a detection and tracking radar, and there's a command and control system," Shin said.

South Korea's military was aware in advance of a possible missile launch which ended up taking place about 9 a.m. (0000 GMT) on Thursday in North Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing an official from the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

Seoul and Washington wrapped up their latest annual joint military drills, known as Freedom Shield, on Thursday. They say such exercises are defensive, but Pyongyang has long demanded a halt to US-South Korea joint exercises, branding them a prelude to an invasion.

In a statement carried by KCNA, a spokesperson for North Korea's defense ministry criticized the latest joint drills by South Korea and the United States, calling them "reckless" and "a rehearsal of war."

All options for containing the US and South Korea were being considered, including the use of the "most destructive and deadly military means", the statement said, while urging the militaries of both countries to stop their acts.