KEY POINTS
- Saudi Arabia and France co-chaired the conference
- The declaration calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
- It promotes unification of Gaza and West Bank under Palestinian Authority
- The global community pledges support for a temporary UN-mandated stabilisation mission in Palestine
- The conference urges Israel to halt settlement expansion and annexation projects
NEW YORK: World leaders at a Saudi and France-backed UN conference on Palestine have reaffirmed support for a Two-State solution and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, adopting the “New York Declaration” endorsed by 142 nations at the General Assembly.
The High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, culminated in the adoption of the New York Declaration—a sweeping international consensus endorsed by 142 nations in the General Assembly.
The conference took place amid escalating conflict in Gaza, where Israel has killed 65,344 Palestinians since October 2023.
Key highlights from the declaration included a call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and unhindered humanitarian aid delivery throughout Gaza.
It also called for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory and a commitment to unify Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority, promoting the “One State, One Government, One Law, One Gun” policy to establish Palestinian sovereignty and security.
The international community pledged support for a temporary stabilisation mission in Palestine, mandated by the UN Security Council, and committed to strengthening Palestinian police and security forces through expanded training and cooperation programs.
Significantly, the conference welcomed new recognitions of the State of Palestine by Australia, Belgium, Canada, and several European nations, urging others to follow suit.
“Ending the war in Gaza and ensuring the release of all hostages remains our absolute priority. We call for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, exchange of prisoners, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza,” it said.
The Palestinian Authority’s ongoing reforms, including abolishing payments to prisoners, curriculum reform, and plans for democratic elections, were also praised as steps toward a sovereign and economically viable Palestinian state.
The statement issued by the Co-Chairs strongly urged Israel to halt settlement expansions and annexation plans, especially the controversial E1 project, warning that any annexation would provoke serious international consequences and derail peace efforts.
The conference also reaffirmed that a just and lasting peace based on UN resolutions is essential not only for Palestinians and Israelis but for broader regional stability, aligning with the vision of the Arab Peace Initiative.
The leaders encouraged regional cooperation to create a new security architecture, drawing on models like ASEAN and OSCE, aiming to foster peace throughout the Middle East.
“We reaffirm that ending the Israeli occupation and achieving just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, based on the relevant UN resolutions, is the only way to achieve full regional integration, as provided for in the Arab Peace initiative,” the statement said.
The conference reiterated its call to all States to join this dynamic to ensure peace and security for all in the Middle East, mutual recognition, and full regional integration.
