Xavier Bettel considers 'Luxembourg-style solution'

Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel proposed a "Luxembourg-style solution" for the recognition of Palestine as a state, should he fail to secure coordinated action with other states by the end of the year. This suggestion came as a conclusion of the debate in the Chamber of Deputies regarding the petition advocating for Palestine's recognition. According to the petitioners, recognising Palestine would promote peace and stability.

Debate inside, protest outside

Amidst the debate, a demonstration was organised outside Parliament on Wednesday morning. About 30 people participated, many wearing Palestinian scarves and carrying Palestinian flags. The protestors also held placards demanding an end to the war in Gaza. The demonstration was very calm and peaceful, as it was intended to be a silent sit-in rather than a typical protest with chanting.

© Luc Rollmann / RTL

The call for the protest was shared by the 'Watermelon Collective' (Kollektiv Waassermeloun) and the platform 'Letzactforpalestine.' Another protest took place on Saturday in front of the RTL building in Kirchberg, criticising what they saw as insufficient coverage of the war by RTL and other media outlets.

'Recognising a Palestinian state is neither anti-Semitic nor anti-Israeli'

François Dubuisson, a professor at ULB and a human rights expert, told MPs that there is no specific reason to delay recognition of Palestine to a hypothetical opportune moment. Dubuisson argued that it is simply a matter of acknowledging the current reality of Palestine and supporting its full and effective sovereignty without foreign occupation. He also noted that Luxembourg already recognises Palestine through international conventions.

Martine Kleinberg, a member of the organisation "Jewish Call for Peace" and herself Jewish, stressed that supporting the recognition of the Palestinian state is neither anti-Semitic nor anti-Israeli. On the contrary, she argued that combating anti-Semitism requires the unequivocal condemnation of crimes committed by Israel and an end to double standards in favour of Israel.

Dalia Khader, who holds both Luxembourgish and Palestinian nationality, stated that Palestine should have been recognised a long time ago. She suggested that had Palestine been recognised earlier, Hamas would never have gained enough strength to carry out the attacks on 7 October. Khader stressed that this measure would not reward Hamas's violence but rather counter it, arguing, "The more violence there is, the more we help Hamas to recruit."

Bettel advocates patience, left-wing parties push for action, CSV remains silent

Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel reiterated his previous statements, emphasising that there is a consensus on recognising the Palestinian state. However, he argued that Hamas's violence must not be rewarded and that Palestinians should not be harmed by poor timing.

The petitioner, Halid Karajbic, contested Bettel's arguments, warning that this stance could severely undermine Muslims' confidence in democracy worldwide.

Karajbic highlighted that around 40,000 Muslims live in Luxembourg and an increasing number express distrust in Western governments. "They don't believe the US, Biden, and all the others who claim they are doing something for peace, only for nothing to come of it in the end," he said. Karajbic also questioned how Bettel plans to persuade other governments to follow this path if he does not take the first step himself.

The Left Party (Déi Lénk), the Green Party (déi gréng), and the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) recently supported a motion for the recognition of Palestine and reiterated their position on Wednesday, asserting that the time had come. Bettel is therefore expected to return to the relevant parliamentary committees before the Christmas break at the latest to report on whether he has managed to negotiate a common position or to present his "Luxembourg-style solution." No representative from the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) spoke during the debate.

Of the 193 UN member states, 145 have now officially recognised a Palestinian state, but Luxembourg is not one of those countries.

In a recent discussion on the matter, the government indicated that it intends to wait further before making a decision. A corresponding parliamentary motion from the LSAP calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state was rejected by the CSV-DP majority.