Fact Check: G7 Leaders' Joint Statement on Middle East Hostilities
What We Know
The claim states that G7 leaders released a joint statement on May 27, 2023, calling for a "de-escalation" of hostilities in the Middle East, affirming Israel's right to defend itself, and recognizing Iran as "the principal source of regional instability and terror."
As of now, there is no available evidence or documentation confirming that such a statement was made on the specified date. The G7, which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, regularly issues statements on various global issues, including Middle Eastern affairs. However, the most recent G7 leaders' statement available is from December 6, 2023, which does not address the claim in question (G7 Leaders' Statement: 6 December 2023).
Additionally, there are no records of a G7 statement specifically addressing the Middle East situation or Iran's role in regional instability around the date mentioned. The G7's focus in recent statements has been primarily on issues such as the conflict in Ukraine and global economic stability (What is the G7?).
Analysis
The claim lacks corroborative evidence from credible sources. The G7's official communications, as documented on the UK government's website, do not support the assertion that a joint statement was issued on May 27, 2023, regarding the Middle East. The absence of such a statement in the available records raises questions about the claim's validity.
Moreover, the G7's statements are typically well-documented and publicly accessible, making it unlikely that a significant statement would go unreported. The most recent statements from the G7 focus on different geopolitical issues, particularly the ongoing situation in Ukraine and global economic challenges (G7 foreign ministers' statement in New York, September 2024).
Given the lack of evidence and the critical nature of the claims madeโspecifically regarding Israel and Iranโit's essential to approach this claim with caution. The sources available do not provide a reliable basis for confirming the assertion.
Conclusion
Needs Research. The claim that G7 leaders released a joint statement on May 27, 2023, regarding the Middle East, Israel, and Iran is not supported by available evidence. The absence of documentation from credible sources and the focus of recent G7 statements on other issues indicate that further investigation is necessary to verify the accuracy of this claim.
