By Akonasu GBEDOZIN "142 countries back resolution aimed at jumpstarting Israeli-Palestinian peace process amid Gaza conflict" N...
By Akonasu GBEDOZIN
"142 countries back resolution aimed at jumpstarting Israeli-Palestinian peace process amid Gaza conflict"
New York, September 13, 2025 The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly adopted the New York Declaration, a resolution aimed at reinvigorating efforts toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The vote, which took place Friday at UN Headquarters, saw 142 of the 193 UN Member States in favor, prompting a round of applause in the Assembly Hall.
The resolution emerged from a high-level international conference held in July, co-organized by France and Saudi Arabia. The conference will resume later this month, reflecting growing urgency to address the deepening humanitarian and political crisis in Gaza.
The declaration outlines a comprehensive roadmap to achieve the long-elusive goal of two independent and sovereign states of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. Key provisions include:
i. An immediate ceasefire in Gaza
ii. The release of all hostages held in the territory
iii. The establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state
iv. The disarmament of Hamas and its removal from governance in Gaza
v. Normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states
vi. Regional security guarantees to support lasting peace
Prior to the vote, French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont emphasized the importance of the declaration, calling it “a single roadmap to deliver the two-State solution.” He stressed that this initiative offers a realistic and unified international framework for peace.
Despite broad support, the resolution faced opposition from a small group of countries. Israel voted against the declaration, joined by Argentina, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, and the United States. Twelve countries abstained.
Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon strongly criticized the resolution, calling it “one-sided” and claiming it would serve only to embolden Hamas. “This Declaration will not be remembered as a step toward peace, only as another hollow gesture that weakens this Assembly’s credibility,” he said, adding that Hamas would view the resolution as “the fruit of 7 October,” referring to the onset of the current conflict.
The July conference and Friday’s vote come amid one of the gravest periods of violence in Gaza in recent years. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at the opening of the July meeting, underscored the stakes: “The central question for Middle East peace is the implementation of the two-State solution, where two independent, sovereign, democratic States of Israel and Palestine live side-by-side in peace and security.”
Guterres has repeatedly warned that the conflict is “at a breaking point,” urging renewed international commitment to ending decades of violence and deadlock.
With Gaza in ruins and the peace process stalled, the New York Declaration represents one of the most concerted multilateral efforts in recent years to chart a path forward. Whether the declaration can translate into concrete political progress remains to be seen, but for now, it has rekindled diplomatic momentum and sent a clear message of global support for a negotiated two-state solution.
We hope to see peace return to Gaza soon.
ليست هناك تعليقات