Two-state solution back in focus at UN peace summit
Co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, the event, formally titled the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, was initially scheduled for June but postponed due to escalating violence in Gaza.
A major objective is securing broader international recognition of Palestinian statehood, a point emphasized by co-chairs France and Saudi Arabia. French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced France will formally recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, making it the first G7 nation to do so.
Despite broad international support, with over 140 UN member states already recognizing Palestine, the United States has opposed the conference, calling it 'counterproductive' to ongoing negotiations aimed at halting the war in Gaza and securing the release of "Israeli" captives.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have released statements ahead of the summit, urging states to focus on ending "Israel's" genocide, 'unlawful occupation,' and 'apartheid' in Gaza. They call for a permanent ceasefire, the lifting of the siege, and full accountability for international crimes.
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