Saudi-French led UN conference pushes two-state solution amid U.S.-Israeli boycott
The high-level conference aims to revive momentum toward a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution.
Saudi Arabia's state broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya aired the opening session, which it described as a ministerial-level initiative dedicated to advancing peace and justice for Palestine through the framework of a two-state solution.
In his opening remarks, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized the Kingdom's position, stating: 'Achieving security and stability in the region begins with justice for the Palestinian people and the realization of their legitimate rights.' He also called for an urgent end to the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan says the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel 'dangerous' escalation in the West Bank must stop immediately. pic.twitter.com/ikv0SuwEfx — Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) July 28, 2025
The conference, initially scheduled for June 17–20, had been postponed following a 12-day Israeli military assault on Iran, launched on June 13 with U.S. backing, which raised regional tensions and led French President Emmanuel Macron to delay the event.
Despite the broad international turnout, the foreign ministers of the United States and Israel are notably absent, having both announced their refusal to participate.
Washington and Tel Aviv remain opposed to any international initiative backing the two-state solution at this time.
Observers note that Israel, with full U.S. support, continues to wage what many international human rights organizations and legal bodies describe as a genocidal war in Gaza, marked by mass killings, starvation, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and large-scale forced displacement.
The International Court of Justice has issued multiple calls and interim measures to halt the military offensive, all of which have been ignored.
As of the latest figures, the Israeli assault on Gaza has resulted in more than 204,000 Palestinians killed or wounded, the vast majority of them women and children.
Over 9,000 remain missing, and widespread famine has claimed additional lives. Hundreds of thousands are displaced, facing dire humanitarian conditions with little aid access.
Despite U.S. and Israeli absence, the Saudi-French initiative signals renewed global efforts to enforce existing UN resolutions supporting a two-state framework and end decades of occupation, war, and systemic injustice.
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