The pressure on Israel has grown significantly due to the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. For the first time in a long while, aid deliveries have managed to enter the Gaza Strip both by air and overland. In response, the Israeli army announced it would temporarily pause military operations until further notice. While this marks some movement, the path toward a durable resolution to the conflict remains long and uncertain.
Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel highlighted the complexity of the situation, explaining that although the international community would like to see both a ceasefire and the release of hostages, each side holds the key to only part of the solution. “It’s Hamas that decides whether hostages are released, and Israel that determines whether there will be a ceasefire”, he noted. Bettel criticised Hamas as uninterested in peace or a two-state solution, describing the group as one that thrives on war and instability. At the same time, he observed that Israel is not currently seeking de-escalation either.
When asked who might be able to bring about peace, Bettel pointed to one major global player, saying quite candidly that “President Trump could, in theory, bring peace as early as tomorrow”. However, he added that this is not happening. He also expressed disappointment with how the US responded to French President Macron’s initiative to recognise a Palestinian state, saying it had been poorly received. Bettel emphasised that it is not up to the US or Israel to dictate what other countries consider appropriate.
Bettel went on to say that the current situation in Palestine had become untenable. He argued that the principle of legitimate self-defence no longer holds in light of the tens of thousands of deaths. “How much longer will we just watch” he asked, while also acknowledging the limited tools available to act. He then stated: “At the UN in New York, we face a US veto any time there’s an attempt to censure Israel, and within the EU, we’re deeply divided.”
Bettel confirmed that Luxembourg is among the states advocating for increased pressure and broader international backing for a two-state solution. He acknowledged that change would not happen overnight, but insisted that steps must be taken. “We’re currently in discussions with several other foreign ministers to understand where each stands, and I’ve indicated that Luxembourg is leaning towards recognition”, he said. However, he stressed that such a decision rests with the government as a whole, not the foreign minister alone. Once a decision is made, Parliament will be informed before the UN General Assembly meets in September.
That same September meeting in New York is the reason Bettel will be there this Monday and Tuesday – to begin laying the groundwork for what could become a coordinated push towards a peaceful solution. Following France’s lead, other countries may also move to recognise a Palestinian state under certain conditions.
