The Minister's meeting with Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

Ahead of the 12 June conference bringing together Israeli and Palestinian civil society for a two-state solution, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs hosted a meeting today, Tuesday 9 June, with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The Minister reaffirmed France’s steadfast commitment to the Christian presence in the Holy Land and, more broadly, to religious pluralism in the Middle East and freedom of worship. He utterly condemned the increase in violence, acts of intimidation and attacks targeting Christians, their places of worship and their institutions in Jerusalem, Palestine and Israel.  He recalled France’s historical role in protecting several Christian communities in the Holy Land, as enshrined in the Mytilene and Constantinople agreements.

The Minister also emphasized the need to protect the historical status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites. France will continue to call for compliance with this framework, which is essential for the stability of Jerusalem and the region.

The Minister and the Patriarch discussed the tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza and reviewed, among other things, the situation of Gaza’s Christian community. The Minister reiterated France’s humanitarian support, including through the Latin Patriarchate. He recalled the absolute urgency of achieving an actual ceasefire, facilitating humanitarian access and getting Gaza back on its feet, and implementing Resolution 2803.

Finally, the Minister reaffirmed that only a political solution based on two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security can provide a long-term solution to the two peoples’ legitimate aspirations. France will go on working with its partners to maintain the prospect of this solution, which is more threatened than ever today, and support all initiatives contributing to peace, dialogue and co-existence.