UN revives battered two‑state blueprint for Israel and Palestinians

UN Conference Aims to Revive Two‑State Solution – Shifting Global Momentum

Co‑Chairing Power: Riyadh & Paris Take the Lead

• Dates: July 28‑30 – the UN’s flagship meeting in New York.
• Global Attendance: Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa plus dozens of senior ministers worldwide.
• Key Agenda: Recognition of Palestine, reform of the Palestinian Authority, Hamas disarmament, and Arab‑Israel normalization.

France’s Game‑Changer: Formal Recognition of Palestine

• On June 25, President Emmanuel Macron announced he will formally recognize the State of Palestine in September.
• French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noel Barrot said other European states will confirm their intent during the conference.
• More than 200 British MPs urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to do the same, but Starmer stressed recognition must fit into a broader plan.

UN Member‑State Recognition Landscape

• 142 of the 193 UN members currently recognize the Palestinian state proclaimed in 1988.
• France is among those states, paving the way for a collective shift toward formal acknowledgment.

Historical Context: From UN Partition to Today

• 1947 – UN General Assembly resolution partitioned British‑mandated Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
• 1948 – Israel declared independence; decades of debate followed.
• 1948‑53 – Primary global support for a two‑state solution pre‑war.

Current Roadblocks: Gaza War, Settlements, Annexation

• 21+ months of war in Gaza, a Hamas attack followed by a devastating Israeli military response, has claimed tenths of thousands of Palestinian lives.
• West Bank settlements continue to expand.
• Israeli officials openly discuss annexing occupied territories, risking the geographical feasibility of a Palestinian state.

Conference Focus: Three Strategic Pillars

1. Palestinian State Recognition: Transforms international law into an achievable plan.
2. Palestinian Authority Reform: Builds internal governance legitimacy.
3. Hamas Disarmament: First time Arab nations publicly condemn Hamas and demand disarmament.

Expected Outcomes

• No new Arab‑Israel normalization deals anticipated during the meeting.
• Israel and the United States will not attend.
• Speakers from 100+ countries will emphasize the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and critique Israeli actions.

Urgency and Call for Courage

Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour urged participants to show “courage” and seize this unique opportunity to end occupation and conflict once and for all, ensuring benefits for all peoples.