Palestinian state summit scheduled for September
The United Nations (UN) is set to convene a crucial meeting aimed at addressing the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. Originally scheduled for mid-June 2025, the conference was postponed due to unspecified reasons but is now rescheduled for July 28 and 29 at the UN headquarters in New York.
The conference, called for by the UN General Assembly Resolution ES 10-24, aims to chart a renewed path towards peace through the two-state solution framework. The meeting intends to convene roundtables on key topics such as security, reconstruction, and the future economic development of Palestine.
The two-state solution itself envisions the establishment of two separate states: Israel for the Jewish people and Palestine for the Palestinians, with the latter formed from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This proposal, formalized in the Oslo Accords of 1993, led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority as an interim governing body.
However, the current political environment poses significant challenges. Recent analyses, including statements from European policy perspectives, suggest that the two-state solution is considered effectively "dead" for the foreseeable future due to lack of progress and political will on both sides, as well as broader international complications.
Despite these challenges, supporters of the two-state solution maintain it as the only viable route to resolving the conflict long term. The upcoming UN meeting reflects this ongoing international dialogue and cooperation to revive prospects for peace.
Notably, the discussions will also focus on normalization and Israel's regional integration with Arab and Muslim countries. The key objective of the meeting is to advance the recognition of a Palestinian state by certain countries, including France, which has been urged by the Palestinian Authority.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has recently called upon the United Kingdom to join France in recognizing a Palestinian state. During a state visit in London, Macron emphasized the need for a unified front between Paris and London to recognize a State of Palestine. The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, reaffirmed his government's support for Palestinian recognition, but prioritized securing a ceasefire in Gaza.
Several countries, including Spain, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Malta, have recognized "Palestine" in recent years. Malta is set to officially recognize the "State of Palestine" next month, further bolstering international support for the two-state solution.
After the ministerial talks, heads of state and government are expected to meet either in Paris or New York before the annual UN General Assembly. The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, is confirmed to attend the New York meeting.
As the international community gathers to discuss a potential resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the two-state solution remains the primary international consensus mechanism for peace, despite facing a bleak near-term outlook.
- The upcoming United Nations meeting, aiming to revive prospects for peace through the two-state solution, will also focus on discussions about normalization and Israel's regional integration with Arab and Muslim countries, as well as advancing the recognition of a Palestinian state by certain countries.
- In preparation for the UN meeting, several countries, including Malta, have recently recognized Palestine, bolstering international support for the two-state solution, which, despite facing a bleak near-term outlook, remains the primary international consensus mechanism for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
