Pressure mounts at the UN for a two-state resolution between Israel and Palestine
The international community is urging concrete steps towards the implementation of the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, a widely endorsed framework for peace.
Recent developments have highlighted the need for accelerated action. A high-level UN conference concluded with the New York Declaration, reaffirming commitment to the two-state solution and calling for an end to the war in Gaza, Israeli withdrawal, and transfer of control to the Palestinian Authority under the principles of "one government, one law, one gun."
However, challenges remain. Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has continued sharply, increasing settlers from 250,000 in the early 1990s to 700,000 by 2025. This settlement growth is viewed by Palestinians and many international observers as undermining the territorial viability of a Palestinian state.
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi voiced concerns over Israeli "settlements, land confiscation, and encroachments on the holy sites." Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa called for an international force to help underwrite Palestinian statehood and recognition by the world.
The US State Department labelled the three-day event as "unproductive and ill-timed," while Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud suggested that US President Donald Trump could be a "catalyst" to ending the war in Gaza and jump-starting the two-state solution.
Despite international pressure, Israel and the United States are not taking part in the meeting. In contrast, more than 200 British members of parliament voiced support for the idea of recognizing a Palestinian state, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated it must be part of a wider plan. French President Emmanuel Macron announced he would recognize Palestinian statehood in September, causing strong opposition from Israel and the United States.
Luxembourg hinted it could follow France and recognize a Palestinian state in September, with other countries potentially announcing similar plans. However, no new normalization deals are expected to be announced at the meeting.
The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza will dominate speeches during the meeting. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that only a political, two-state solution can help Israelis and Palestinians live in peace and security.
Looking back, the United Nations decided to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states in 1947, with Israel being proclaimed in 1948. Yet, the dream of a Palestinian state has remained elusive due to ongoing conflicts and Israeli settlement expansion.
In summary, while the two-state solution remains the widely endorsed international framework, recent forums have pushed for accelerated, concrete steps including ceasefire, territorial governance, and political normalization. However, ongoing settlement expansions and security concerns pose significant challenges to implementation.
- Emmanuel Macron, the French President, has announced that he will recognize Palestinian statehood in September, causing strong opposition from Israel and the United States.
- The US State Department labelled the recent meeting as "unproductive and ill-timed," while Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister suggested that US President Donald Trump could be a "catalyst" to ending the war in Gaza and jump-starting the two-state solution.
- Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has continued sharply, increasing settlers from 250,000 in the early 1990s to 700,000 by 2025, which is viewed by Palestinians and many international observers as undermining the territorial viability of a Palestinian state.
- The international community, including France, is urging concrete steps towards the implementation of the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, a widely endorsed framework for peace, amid ongoing war-and-conflicts and political challenges in the region.
