Telephone conversation between President Emmanuel Macron and His Majesty Abdullah II, King of Jordan (24 March 2024)

The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, had a telephone conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan, on Sunday, 24 March 2024.

The two leaders discussed the unjustifiable toll and humanitarian situation in Gaza. Both stressed the need to attain an immediate and lasting ceasefire so that emergency aid can be delivered and civilian populations can be protected. President Macron recalled that the release of all hostages was an absolute priority for France, particularly the release of our three nationals.

The leaders recalled their firm opposition to the Israeli offensive on Rafah and expressed their shared concern about the operations that have been conducted since Monday by the Israeli armed forces in Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital complex on Palestinian territory. They recalled that Gaza was and would remain a Palestinian territory and that the forcible transfer of the population was a war crime under international law.

President Macron and King Abdullah II also recalled all of Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law. They stressed the fact that subjecting civilians to the risk of famine was unjustifiable and underlined the need to grant full humanitarian access through all border crossings, and particularly Karni. The two leaders agreed to continue their close humanitarian partnership to help the civilian populations in Gaza.

In this month of Ramadan, France recalls the importance of preserving the historic status quo of the Holy Places in Jerusalem and commends Jordan’s specific role in this respect.

President Macron and King Abdullah II lastly agreed to continue their determined efforts to support the effective implementation of the two-state solution. This solution, the only way to address the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians for peace and security, requires the creation of a Palestinian State including Gaza. In this regard, President Macron stated that France, in coordination with the members of the United Nations Security Council and the Arab Contact Group, was putting forward a resolution calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and establishing the foundations for a lasting political settlement of the conflict.

• Press Release from the Élysée Palace