U.N. Endorses Two-State Solution, Urges Israel to Recognize Palestinian State

International Call for a Two-State Solution

High-level representatives at a U.N. conference today emphasized the importance of Israel committing to a Palestinian state and expressed “unwavering support” for a two-state solution. This statement highlights the global community’s determination to resolve one of the world's most enduring conflicts.

The “New York Declaration” outlines a phased strategy aimed at ending the nearly eight-decade-long conflict and the ongoing war in Gaza. The plan envisions an independent, demilitarized Palestine coexisting peacefully with Israel and eventually integrating into the broader Middle East region.

The two-day meeting, which concluded today, took place against the backdrop of recent reports indicating that starvation and famine are spreading in Gaza. There is growing international concern over the lack of food access for Palestinians due to Israeli policies, which Israel denies.

Israel's Opposition to a Two-State Solution

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently opposed a two-state solution, citing nationalistic and security concerns. His close ally, the United States, also chose to boycott the meeting, labeling it “unproductive and ill-timed.”

This conference, originally scheduled for June and later downgraded from a leaders' summit to a ministerial level, marked a significant step by establishing eight high-level working groups. These groups were tasked with examining and proposing solutions related to a two-state framework.

The declaration’s plan states that the conference co-chairs—France, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, and the Arab League—along with 15 countries leading the working groups, agreed to take collective action to end the war in Gaza. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan encouraged all 193 U.N. member nations to support this document before the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly in mid-September.

Condemnation of Attacks and Humanitarian Crisis

The declaration condemns “the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians” in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This marks the first time Arab nations have condemned Hamas, whose attacks resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, mainly Israeli civilians, and the kidnapping of around 250 people, with about 50 still held.

At the same time, the declaration criticizes Israeli attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza, as well as its “siege and starvation, which have produced a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis.” According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing offensive against Hamas, though the ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

Vision for Palestinian Governance

The conference plan envisions the Palestinian Authority governing and controlling all Palestinian territory, with a transitional administrative committee immediately established under its umbrella following a ceasefire in Gaza. It also supports the deployment of “a temporary international stabilization mission” operating under U.N. auspices. This mission would aim to protect Palestinian civilians, assist in the transfer of security to the Palestinian Authority, and provide security guarantees for both Palestine and Israel—including monitoring of the ceasefire and any future peace agreement.

The declaration calls for countries to recognize the state of Palestine, stating that this recognition is “an essential and indispensable component of the achievement of the two-state solution.” While not explicitly naming Israel, the document suggests that “illegal unilateral actions are posing an existential threat to the realization of the independent state of Palestine.”

Recognition of Palestine by Western Powers

French President Emmanuel Macron announced ahead of the meeting that France will recognize the state of Palestine during the General Assembly's meeting of world leaders in late September. The French Foreign Ministry responded to Israeli claims that recognizing Palestine would “reward” Hamas by asserting that it has instead contributed to isolating Hamas.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain would recognize the state of Palestine before the high-level meeting in September but would refrain if Israel agrees to a ceasefire and long-term peace process within the next eight weeks. These two countries are now the largest Western powers and the only members of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations to make such a pledge.