Macron not expected to attend UN summit on two-state solution for Palestine and Israel

Absence of French president makes it less likely there will be announcement of recognition of a Palestinian state

A UN summit on a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel - postponed by the Israel-Iran war - has been rescheduled for 28 and 29 July, but it is not expected French president Emmanuel Macron will attend, making it less likely that it will trigger a series of high-profile announcements on recognition of a Palestinian state.

Macron, who last week told UK parliamentarians a two-state solution was the only way to build peace and stability for all in the whole region", has been trying to build momentum for recognition of a state of Palestine by a wide group of countries, but the a lack of movement in ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel is making such decisions more complex.