UN
Security Council meeting on the situation in Rafah (May 28, 2024)

The Security Council will hold an emergency meeting today on the situation in Rafah.

In light of the seriousness of the situation, France considers it more necessary than ever for the Security Council to adopt a new resolution.

President Macron voiced our outrage at the Israeli strikes that resulted in the death of many displaced persons in Rafah. These operations must stop, in keeping with the order issued by the International Court of Justice.

The Security Council must also allow the UN to play an active role in the Gaza Strip in order to meet the immediate needs of the population and enable Palestinians to govern a territory that must be an integral part of their state.

North Korea
Attempted launch of a military satellite (May 27, 2024)

France strongly condemns North Korea’s attempted launch of a military satellite on May 27 in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

These resolutions prohibit North Korea from moving forward with activities that involve ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons, including the launch of such missiles. The technologies used for space launches directly contribute to the already troubling progress North Korea has made on its ballistic missile program.

France urges North Korea to comply with its international obligations without delay and to engage in a process leading to the complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement of its nuclear and ballistic programs.

Q&A
Rafah

On Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to “immediately” halt its military offensive in Rafah. It also demanded an end to “any other action in the Rafah governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.” The court also ordered Israel to keep the Rafah crossing open to allow “unhindered” access to humanitarian aid. On Sunday night, new strikes left at least 30 dead in a Rafah tent camp, in an area the Israelis themselves had designated as safe. My question is a simple one: apart from statements and condemnations, what is France (along with its EU partners) doing in concrete terms to ensure the implementation of the orders issued by the ICJ, the UN’s highest court? Are immediate political and economic sanctions against Israel being contemplated to force it to abide by international law, as France did in the case of Russia? Is France leaning toward a suspension of EU cooperation agreements with Israel?

We refer you to President Macron’s statement yesterday on X.