New York (TDI): A significant international conference aimed at advancing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians is underway at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Ministers from numerous countries have gathered for the event, which had been postponed earlier due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Notably absent from the conference are the United States and Israel, both of whom have chosen not to participate.
The conference, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, was initially scheduled for June but was delayed following Israel’s military strike on Iran. The event is part of a broader initiative agreed upon by the UN General Assembly last year, which seeks to lay down a clear roadmap toward the establishment of a Palestinian state, while simultaneously ensuring the security of Israel.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, in a statement on Sunday, emphasized France’s intention to rally support for Palestinian statehood. He confirmed that Paris plans to formally recognize the State of Palestine during the UN General Assembly in September.
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“We will make a call in New York for other nations to join us,” he said, hinting at a larger diplomatic push that may reach a decisive moment by September 21. He also stressed the importance of Arab nations condemning Hamas and urging its disarmament.
The backdrop to the conference is the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which erupted on October 7, 2023. On that day, Hamas launched a surprise assault in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. In the aftermath, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have claimed the lives of nearly 60,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in Gaza.
The United States, explaining its decision to stay away from the conference, argued that the gathering sends the wrong message. A State Department spokesperson described the event as “a gift to Hamas,” accusing the group of obstructing ceasefire efforts that could lead to calm in Gaza and the release of remaining hostages.
The US had opposed the UN General Assembly’s resolution last year calling for this conference and maintains its stance against any actions that could, in its view, endanger future peace efforts.
Israel also declined to attend. A spokesperson for its UN mission, Jonathan Harounoff, said the meeting fails to prioritize what he called the “urgent need” to condemn Hamas and ensure the return of Israeli hostages.
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Despite the absence of two key players, the conference is moving forward. The United Nations continues to support the long-standing vision of a two-state solution, with both nations existing side by side in peace and within secure, internationally recognized borders.
Palestinian leaders seek statehood in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, lands occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War.
In May last year, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution recognizing Palestine as eligible for full UN membership. The measure passed with 143 votes in favor and only nine against, following a US veto in the Security Council weeks earlier. The vote underscored strong global backing for Palestinian statehood despite continued geopolitical divisions.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
