France calls on EU to pressure Israel to move on Palestinian two-state solution

France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot addresses the United Nations General Assembly (Richard Drew/AP)

France has called on the European Union to pressure Israel to agree to a two-state solution with the Palestinians, the latest escalation from France as it seeks an end to the deadly Gaza war days after pledging to recognise Palestine as a state.

Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, told reporters at the United Nations that while there is international consensus that the time for a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is now, world powers need to back up their words with actions.