Israel, Palestinians: Two-State Solution Is the Only Path

UN‑Saudi Conference Calls for Immediate Recognition of a Palestinian State

Key Statements from French and Palestinian Leaders

• Jean‑Noel Barrot, French Foreign Minister declared that a two‑state solution is the only viable path to peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
• Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa urged an international force to support the formal recognition of a Palestinian state.
• French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he will officially recognize Palestine in September, and other European governments are expected to do the same at the conference.

Global Recognition Landscape

At least 142 of the 193 UN member states, including France, already acknowledge the Palestinian state proclaimed in 1988. However, Israel’s settlement expansion and annexation plans threaten the feasibility of a geographic Palestinian state.

Historical Context

In 1947, the UN General Assembly voted to partition Palestine into a Jewish and an Arab state. The year after, the state of Israel was declared. Decades of UN support have nursed a two‑state vision, but the current Gaza war and West Bank settlements pose serious challenges.

Conference Agenda and Outcomes

• Recognition of Palestine – Aim to formalize statehood without delay.
• Reform of the Palestinian Authority – Modernize governance structures.
• Disarmament of Hamas – First time Arab states condemn Hamas and demand its removal from public life.
• Normalization with Israel – Arab states seek to rebuild diplomatic ties, though no new deals are expected during the meeting.

Absence of Major Powers

Israel and the United States will not attend, under mounting international pressure to end the two‑year Gaza war. Humanitarian concerns dominate the speeches of over 100 participating countries.

Human Rights Perspective

Human Rights Watch’s Bruno Stagno calls for decisive action rather than empty rhetoric, insisting that the conference must prevent further extermination of Palestinians in Gaza.

Call for Courage

Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour urges participants to demonstrate resolve and transform international law into an actionable plan that ends occupation and conflict once and for all.