(L-R) Anne-Claire Legendre, President of the Arab World Institute; Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs; Jean-Noël Barrot, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs;
Credit: Philemon Henry
On Friday 12 June 2026, Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Xavier Bettel, participated in the "Paris Call for the Two-State Solution" conference in Paris.
According to the ministry, the conference brought together representatives of Palestinian and Israeli civil society and provided an opportunity to discuss prospects for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, as well as efforts to implement the two-state solution. As part of the programme, Minister Bettel attended a working lunch hosted by France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, in the presence of other foreign ministers.
The conference took place approximately one year after the conference on the implementation of the two-state solution held in New York, following which several countries, including Luxembourg, recognised the State of Palestine.
Since then, the ministry said, the situation on the ground has remained extremely concerning and prospects for peace remain fragile. The continuation of the conflict, the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, the stalled implementation of the Gaza ceasefire, the acceleration of illegal settlement activity in the West Bank, Hamas' refusal to disarm and growing regional tensions continue to threaten the viability of the two-state solution.
During his intervention, Minister Bettel reaffirmed that the two-state solution remains the only path towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Israel and Palestine.
The ministry noted that the minister expressed particular concern about growing threats to the viability of the two-state solution, notably the unprecedented increase in settler violence in the West Bank. He also highlighted difficulties in advancing to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire and ongoing violations of the agreement.
Minister Bettel also stressed the importance of continuing reforms within the Palestinian Authority with international support, organising free elections throughout the territory and working towards the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from future governance.
He further praised the commitment of Palestinian and Israeli civil society actors working to promote dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. According to the ministry, he highlighted their role in strengthening ties between communities, building bridges and preserving spaces for dialogue, while reaffirming Luxembourg's commitment to providing sustained political and financial support.
The minister also noted that civil society organisations in Israel and Palestine face increasing obstacles, particularly regarding humanitarian access, as well as growing legislative constraints and political pressure.
According to the ministry, Luxembourg joined a joint international statement after the Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal by NGOs regarding registration requirements. The statement addresses the impact of the legislation on humanitarian aid in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
