UN General Assembly Backs Two-State Solution: 142 Nations Support Israel-Palestine Peace Plan
The United Nations General Assembly voted strongly on Friday to support a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestinian conflict, urging Israel to agree to the creation of a Palestinian state.
The 193-member assembly approved a nonbinding resolution backing the “New York Declaration,” which outlines a step-by-step plan to end the decades-long conflict. The resolution passed with 142 votes in favor, 10 against, and 12 abstentions. Trending: Penalty for crossing Red signal in Saudi Arabia - Traffic rules
The resolution was introduced by France and Saudi Arabia, who led a high-level conference in July that adopted the declaration.
The ongoing nearly two-year war in Gaza and the wider conflict will be a main focus when world leaders meet at the General Assembly starting September 22.
Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour welcomed the decision, saying it shows the world’s desire for peace. He called on Israel to “listen to the sound of reason.”
The United States opposed the resolution, calling it “a misguided and ill-timed publicity stunt” that hurts real diplomacy.
The New York Declaration condemns both Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks on civilians in Israel and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which the Gaza Health Ministry says has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians.
The declaration also suggests creating a temporary U.N.-backed international mission to protect Palestinian civilians, enforce a ceasefire, and provide security guarantees for both Israel and Palestine. It also urges more countries to recognize Palestine as a state, saying recognition is key to achieving peace. Most Viewed: Riyadh police arrest 3 expats for fake online platform
French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that France and Saudi Arabia are leading an irreversible path to peace in the Middle East. On his X account, he welcomed the General Assembly’s adoption of the New York Declaration, calling it a new push for the two-state solution.
Macron said, “Today, under the leadership of France and Saudi Arabia, 142 countries have adopted the New York Declaration on the implementation of the Two-State Solution. Together, we are creating an irreversible path toward peace in the Middle East. France, Saudi Arabia, and their partners will be in New York to make this peace plan real at the Conference on the Two-State Solution.”
The resolution was adopted 10 days before the upcoming summit at the United Nations in New York on September 22, which Macron and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman will co-chair.
Macron added on X: “Another future is possible. Two peoples, two states: Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. It is up to all of us to make it happen!”
It is important to note that Macron previously announced that France would recognize the State of Palestine during the General Assembly meetings held from September 9 to 23. Since then, more than a dozen Western countries—including **Belgium, Malta, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Finland, Luxembourg, Canada, and Germany**—have also said they will follow this step.
France and Saudi Arabia already co-chaired the first two-state solution conference in June, which gained strong global support for a “just” resolution to the Palestinian issue. Join Saudi Expatriates channel on Instagram
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| UN General Assembly Backs Two-State Solution: 142 Nations Support Israel-Palestine Peace Plan |