France circulates draft outcome document from UN 2-state solution conference
Circulated by France among UN member states and open for comments until Tuesday morning, the document represents a critical step in attempts to revitalize long-stalled efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, against a backdrop in recent years of renewed violence and diplomatic deadlock.
The draft strongly condemns the 'barbaric and antisemitic terrorist attack' on Israeli towns launched by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. It demands an immediate ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages still held by Hamas, including the return of the remains of those who have died.
It also stresses the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, to alleviate the suffering of civilians caught up in the crisis.
Central to the draft text is a reaffirmation of the 'unwavering commitment' of the international community to the vision for two democratic states — Israel and Palestine — living side by side in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders.
Emphasizing the need for Palestinian political unity, the document underscores the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under the governance of the Palestinian Authority, presenting this as the cornerstone for a future Palestinian state that is both legitimate and demilitarized.
The document welcomes commitments made by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in June this year, and acknowledges his condemnation of the Oct. 7 attacks, his call for the release of hostages, and his pledge to disarm Hamas. Abbas has also vowed to end contentious 'pay-to-slay' payments; implement education reforms; hold elections within a year to foster generational renewal; and accept the principle of a demilitarized Palestinian state — all of which are viewed as critical steps to rebuild trust and lay the groundwork for peace.
In anticipation of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in September, the document envisions that signatory countries will either have officially recognized the State of Palestine or expressed a willingness to do so. It further encourages nations that have yet to establish diplomatic ties with Israel to begin normalizing relations and to engage in dialogue regarding the regional integration of Israel, signaling a broader vision for Middle East cooperation.
As of early this year, about 147 of the 193 UN member states had officially recognized the State of Palestine, representing about 75 percent of the international community.
They include the majority of African, Asian and Latin American countries. Several European nations also recently joined the list, including Norway, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Armenia, as have the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados.
But key Western powers including the US, Canada, France, Germany, the UK, Italy and Australia have yet to officially recognize Palestine, as has Japan.
Notably, however, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, has announced plans for his nation to formally recognize Palestine, with the official declaration expected during the UN General Assembly in September. France would be the first G7 country to do so, and could influence a broader European recognition trend.
The draft document also outlined a commitment to develop a comprehensive framework for the 'day after' peace is declared in Gaza, emphasizing guarantees for reconstruction, the disarmament of Hamas, and the exclusion of the group from Palestinian governance, measures that are intended to secure lasting stability and prevent further violence.
Formally titled the 'High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,' the two-day event in New York is being co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.
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