The United Nations General Assembly has voted decisively in favor of establishing a two-state framework to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, urging Israel to recognize Palestinian statehood — a move strongly rejected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a session on Friday, 142 countries supported the measure, while 10 opposed it and 12 abstained. The resolution, though nonbinding, endorses the “New York Declaration,” a step-by-step plan aimed at ending nearly eight decades of unrest, reports AP/UNB.
Hours before the vote, Netanyahu said “there will be no Palestinian state.” He spoke at the signing of an agreement to expand settlements that will divide the West Bank, which the Palestinians insist must be part of their state, saying, “This place belongs to us.”
The initiative was introduced by France and Saudi Arabia, who jointly led a high-level meeting in July that produced the declaration. With the conflict in Gaza nearing its second year, world leaders are preparing to address it prominently when the General Assembly convenes on September 22. Palestinian representatives are also pressing for broader recognition, with hopes that at least 10 additional nations will formally recognize Palestine, beyond the 145 that already have.
Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour praised the resolution, calling it evidence of “the yearning of almost everyone, the international community, to open the door for the option of peace.” Without directly naming Israel, he appealed to the opposing party: “We invite a party that is still pushing the option of war and destruction, and attempts to eliminate the Palestinian people and steal their land, to listen to the sound of reason — to the sound of the logic of dealing with this issue peacefully, and for the overwhelming message that has resonated in this General Assembly today.”
In contrast, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon dismissed the outcome, calling it “theater.” He argued, “This one-sided declaration will not be remembered as a step toward peace, only as another hollow gesture that weakens this assembly’s credibility.”
The United States also criticized the decision, with U.S. Mission counselor Morgan Ortagus labeling it “yet another misguided and ill-timed publicity stunt that undermines serious diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.” She added, “Make no mistake, this resolution is a gift to Hamas.”
Notably, the declaration condemns the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault in southern Israel, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage, with roughly 20 still believed alive. It also denounces Israel’s actions in Gaza, including bombardments, blockade, and deprivation, which the text says have created “a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis.” According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since the offensive began.
The plan calls for the Palestinian Authority to take charge of all Palestinian territories. Following a ceasefire, a transitional body under the Authority’s supervision would be formed. The declaration also demands that “Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.”
Furthermore, the text recommends the creation of “a temporary international stabilization mission” under U.N. leadership to safeguard civilians, oversee the transfer of authority to the Palestinian Authority, and ensure both sides comply with ceasefire terms and any future peace accord.
The resolution concludes by pressing nations to recognize Palestine, describing it as “an essential and indispensable component of the achievement of the two-state solution.” It also warns that “illegal unilateral actions are posing an existential threat to the realization of the independent state of Palestine.”
