ST. PETERSBURG, November 16. /TASS/. France's undiplomatic stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will lead to social rifts in society and the growth of terrorism in Europe, Pierre de Gaulle, grandson of the first president of the Fifth Republic, General Charles de Gaulle, has told TASS on the sidelines the Forum of United Cultures in St. Petersburg.

"I strongly disagree with French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to vote in the UN against the ceasefire along with the US, Britain and Japan. It will not let France participate in any settlement talks in the future. I believe this is a political mistake," he said, calling such an attitude both "undiplomatic and unconstructive."

"To my regret, the French government's position will lead to social rifts in society, especially given the fact that the Arab population is strongly represented in the country, and to an upsurge of terrorism in Europe, an increase in the number of terrorists in Europe," de Gaulle said.

He also pointed to the dubious approach of the French leadership.

"It is impossible to simultaneously oppose a ceasefire in this conflict and call for the protection of the population of Palestine," he added.

At the same time, de Gaulle's grandson stressed that terrorism must be fought, but the Israeli government, he said, "bears the full responsibility for nurturing Hamas."

Conflict solution

Pierre de Gaulle recalled that in 1967, a few months after the end of the six-day Arab-Israeli war, his grandfather, Charles de Gaulle, underscored the importance of creating two states - Palestinian and Israeli - on the basis of mutual protection and security guarantees for both countries and their peoples.

"He pushed for this initiative with the support of UN peacekeepers. We need to get back to this diplomatic track," de Gaulle's grandson believes.

He is certain that "this is the only way to resolve the conflict."

"If we keep waiting and doing nothing, it will be a huge tragedy for the Palestinian people. It is an urgent imperative to come to the negotiating table, to respect the culture of these peoples and to ensure UN protection," he concluded.

The 9th St. Petersburg international cultural forum - Forum of United Cultures - is being held on November 16 to 18 after a three-year break. The event, which organized by the Russian government, the Ministry of Culture and the authorities of St. Petersburg, is recognized as a world-class event. It annually brings together thousands of cultural experts from all over the world: theater, opera and ballet celebrities, stage directors and musicians, public figures, officials and representatives of businesses and the academic community.

TASS is the forum’s general information partner.