Luxembourg Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel stands by his position on the recognition of Palestine as a state, adding that concrete action must be taken regarding the conflict.

Speaking to the press on Friday morning, Xavier Bettel reiterated that a symbolic recognition of a Palestinian state alone brings nothing. If real change is to happen on the ground, a whole range of things must change.

First and foremost, there needs to be a ceasefire, but also a strengthened Palestinian government. The conditions are to be discussed in about a month at a planned UN conference in New York. If these conditions are right, recognition would naturally be possible, said the DP (Democratic Party) Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister.

Bettel used stronger language to criticise Israel's government, claiming that what the Israeli army is currently doing in Gaza can no longer be considered self-defence and is not in accordance with the laws of war. For the minister, one thing is also clear: No peace in Palestine means no security for Israel, and only a ceasefire can bring calm to the region.