Luxembourg to recognize Palestine, blames Netanyahu’s actions for decision

NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) – Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden said his country’s decision to recognize Palestinian statehood stems from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government policies, not Israel itself, pointing to the devastating war in Gaza that has entered its second year.

“We are not taking a decision against Israel; we are taking decisions against actions of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government, which we disagree with, because those actions are against a rules-based international order,” Frieden told CNN ahead of the UN General Assembly.

Luxembourg is expected to formally announce recognition of Palestine at the Assembly, joining a growing list of nations.

On Sunday, Australia, Canada, Portugal, and the UK extended recognition, while others have signaled similar steps.

Frieden emphasized that the goal is peaceful coexistence.

“We would like to have these two countries, these two populations, live side by side in peace and prosperity,” he said, stressing that Palestinians need hope for the future while Israel requires security.

Calling the two-state solution “the only way forward,” he added: “A new push to the Palestinian statehood may result in a peaceful Israel and a peaceful Palestine next to each other.”

Frieden cautioned that Europe may consider sanctions if Israel refuses a ceasefire or continues blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has waged a military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 65,300 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Human rights groups and the International Court of Justice have described the assault as genocidal, with famine now spreading across the enclave.