In a landmark development at the UN General Assembly on Friday, 142 of 193 member states voted to adopt the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution—an initiative spearheaded by France and Saudi Arabia. The resolution, backed by a broad coalition of countries, calls for a Hamas-free Palestinian state, demands the disarmament of Hamas, and condemns the October 7 attacks on civilians.
Key outcomes of the vote:
- 142 votes in favor, 10 against, 12 abstentions
- Clear condemnation of Hamas: "Hamas must free all hostages," reads the text.
- Call for a "temporary international stabilization mission" under UN Security Council mandate to protect civilians.
The declaration demands that "Hamas end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State." It also sets the stage for a high-profile UN summit co-chaired by Riyadh and Paris on September 22, where leaders like France's President Emmanuel Macron plan to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
Reactions were polarized. Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh welcomed the vote, calling it "an important step towards ending the occupation and achieving our independent state." In contrast, Israel—joined by the United States—voted against the declaration, with Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oren Marmorstein branding the Assembly a "political circus detached from reality."
With about three-quarters of UN member states already recognizing the Palestinian state proclaimed in 1988, the resolution underscores global momentum for a two-state framework—despite two years of conflict, expanded settlements in the West Bank, and concerns over potential annexation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow that "there will be no Palestinian state" and the potential visa denial for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the summit add layers of uncertainty.
As young global citizens, this vote highlights both the power and limits of multilateral diplomacy in shaping the future of the Middle East. Will the New York Declaration bridge divides or deepen them? The world will be watching.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
