In a tense moment at United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a heartfelt plea: the two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. Against the backdrop of a massive ground offensive in Gaza City launched just one day earlier, his message was both urgent and unequivocal.
âI think we absolutely must do everything and mobilize as much as we can the international community to make sure that the two-state solution prevails,â Guterres told China Media Group. He challenged critics asking what alternative exists: a one-state system that strips basic rights, or one that displaces people from their lands? âI believe Israel must realize that a one-state solution involving the subjugation of Palestinians without rights is completely unacceptable,â he said.
Warning of global repercussions, the UN chief argued that without a two-state framework, peace in the Middle East will remain out of reach and extremism could spread worldwide with âextremely, extremely negativeâ consequences. He also dismissed claims that recognizing a Palestinian state would serve as âa gift to Hamas,â calling it instead âa gift to the Palestinian people that has also suffered a lot because of Hamas.â
Last Friday, the UN General Assembly backed a draft resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. As debates intensify and conflict continues, Guterresâs call highlights the high stakes of finding a diplomatic breakthrough that respects human rights and secures broader regional stability.
Reference(s):
UN chief Guterres: Two-state solution 'the only viable' way for peace
cgtn.com
