Latest news with #High-levelInternationalConferenceforthePeacefulSettlementoftheQuestionofPalestineandtheImplementationoftheTwo-StateSolution
Leaders
7 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Portugal Weighs Recognizing Palestinian State in September: PM
Portugal is considering the formal recognition of Palestinian Statehood this September, joining a growing list of nations that plan to make the move. On Thursday, the office of Portugal's Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, said that the government will hold consultations with the president and parliament to decide on the question of recognizing the State of Palestine at the UN in September, reported AFP. In a statement, the Prime Minister's office said: 'Portugal is considering recognition of the Palestinian state, as part of a procedure that could be concluded during the high-level week of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, to be held in New York in September.' Currently, 147 out of the 193 UN member states recognize the State of Palestine, which holds observer status at the UN. With this move, Portugal joins France, the UK, Canada and Malta, all of which announced they would formally recognize Palestine this September. France was the first major Western power to announce the recognition plan. Few days later, the UK, Canada and Malta made their announcements at the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France in New York. Britain's move is conditional on a ceasefire in Gaza by September, while Canada's decision hinges on political changes by the Palestinian Authority. Other European countries, such as Spain, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Armenia, recognized the Palestinian State in 2024. These recent announcements are driven by Saudi Arabia's intensive diplomatic efforts and a growing frustration with Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, which has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, and caused one of the world's most catastrophic humanitarian crises. Short link : Post Views: 22
Barnama
7 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysia Urges Palestine Recognition, Full UN Membership
A High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution at U.N headquarters in New York City, US, July 29, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has called on all nations to urgently recognise the State of Palestine and support its full membership in the United Nations (UN), stressing at a landmark UN meeting on Palestine that such recognition is vital to safeguarding the two-state solution. Malaysia's Permanent Representative to the UN Datuk Dr Ahmad Faisal Muhamad, speaking at the UN High-Level Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine on Wednesday, said Malaysia commended countries that have made the bold decision to recognise the State of Palestine, and urged others that have not to do so urgently. "The recognition of the State of Palestine is a crucial step to protect the two-state solution,' he said. bootstrap slideshow Ahmad Faisal drove home the point that the two-state solution is, and remains, the only internationally recognised solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 'It is totally unacceptable that 78 years since the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 181, only one of the two states has enjoyed independence and full membership to the UN, while the other – the State of Palestine – continues to be denied its independence and full membership of the UN,' he said. He said that for more than seven decades, Palestinians have been systematically dispossessed of their rights, land, property and dignity through Israel's illegal and brutal occupation. 'It is time to end this historic and gross injustice,' he said. Ahmad Faisal said a fully sovereign and independent State of Palestine can only be meaningful if its authorities are able to exercise full control over its territories and natural resources, and thrive economically. He said Malaysia supports a UN-mandated transition plan, with the concurrence of the State of Palestine, in the form of a peacekeeping operation, a stabilisation mission or a protection mission.
Scoop
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
With Gaza Smouldering, Ministers Renew Push For Two-State Solution At UN
30 July 2025 The High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution took place in New York from 28 to 30 July. The United States and Israel did not participate. France and Saudi Arabia, co-chairs of the Conference, called on all UN Member States to support a declaration urging collective action to end the war in Gaza and to achieve a just, peaceful and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution outlines political, humanitarian, and security steps to be taken on a timebound and irreversible basis. The co-chairs urged countries to endorse the declaration by the end of the 79th session of the General Assembly, in early September, should they so wish. Act before it is too late In his stark opening remarks on Monday, Secretary-General Guterres stressed that the two-State solution is the only viable path to ending the longstanding conflict and achieving lasting peace in the region, warning that there is no alternative. 'A one-State reality where Palestinians are denied equal rights and forced to live under perpetual occupation and inequality? A one-State reality where Palestinians are expelled from their land? That is not peace. That is not justice. And that is not acceptable,' he said. He condemned both Hamas' 7 October 2023 attacks and the scale of Israel's military response, reiterating his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and unfettered humanitarian access. 'This conflict cannot be managed. It must be resolved,' Mr. Guterres concluded. 'We must act before it is too late.' Calls for peace Over the three days, more than 125 speakers took the floor during the general debate, including high-level representatives from across the globe and major regional and international organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Delegates underscored the urgency of concrete steps to realise a two-State solution, highlighting the need to empower and reform the Palestinian Authority, reconstruct Gaza and ensure accountability for violations of international law. France, which co-chaired the Conference, recalled its support for Israel as it joined the community of nations and affirmed that Palestinians deserve the same right to a homeland. 'At a time where the two-State solution is more threatened than ever, France is ready to fully recognise the State of Palestine,' said Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. That recognition, he added, would come in September when leaders reconvene for the General Assembly's 80th session. Co-chair Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan al Saud, emphasised the suffering of thousands of civilians in Gaza under bombardment, while Israeli settlements expand in Jerusalem and the West Bank to alter the region's demographic nature. 'Peace and security do not take place through deprivation of rights or force,' he said, underscoring the need for a genuine and irreversible peace process. The United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, outlined recent UK actions – including the suspension of arms exports and sanctions on extremist settlers, and restoring of funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. 'It is with the hand of history on our shoulders that His Majesty's Government therefore intends to recognise the State of Palestine when the UN General Assembly gathers in September here in New York,' he declared. 'We will do this unless the Israeli Government acts to end the appalling situation in Gaza, ends its military campaign and commits to a long-term sustainable peace based on a two-State solution.'
RTÉ News
30-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Canada to recognise state of Palestine in September
Canada intends to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney has said. Mr Carney told reporters that the planned move was predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforms, including commitments to fundamentally reform its governance and to hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part. The decision by the Canadian prime minister came after Canada was one of 15 nations, including Ireland, to sign a joint statement of foreign ministers to call for an immediate Gaza ceasefire and the implementation of a two-state solution. The meeting took place at the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in New York this week. The other signatories were: Andorra, Australia, Finland, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain. The conference was attended by over 130 UN Member States. The meeting highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the urgent need for a ceasefire, release of hostages and unimpeded humanitarian access into and throughout Gaza. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris said the conference demonstrated that there is another way forward, adding that the "international community demands an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal" as well as urgent humanitarian aid for Gaza. Mr Harris added that they were ready to take "concrete steps" to implement the two-state solution. "Ireland is doubling down on our commitment to achieve a just, lasting peace where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace and security. We will continue to do all in our power to work for that peace." Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment Emer Higgins represented Ireland at the conference. Recognition of Palestinian state The 15 Western nations also called on countries worldwide to move to recognise a Palestinian state, according to France's top diplomat. President Emmanuel Macron announced last week he would formally recognise Palestinian statehood in September, provoking strong opposition from Israel and the United States. France is hoping to build momentum around the formal recognition of a Palestinian state. Yesterday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes various "substantive steps", including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. Mr Starmer's move, paired with Paris, would make the two European allies the first G7 nations to do so. In the joint statement, the nations affirmed their "unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution". Nine of the signatories which have not yet recognised the Palestinian state expressed "the willingness or the positive consideration of their countries" to do so, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada, who later would show its intention to recognise Palestine in September. Seventeen countries, plus the European Union and Arab League, during the conference joined calls for Hamas to disarm and end its rule of Gaza, in a bid to end the devastating war in the Palestinian territory.
RTÉ News
30-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Ireland among 15 nations to call for two-state solution in Gaza
Ireland has signed a joint statement of foreign ministers to call for an immediate Gaza ceasefire and the implementation of a two-state solution, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said. The meeting took place at the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in New York this week. The other signatories were: Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain. The conference was attended by over 130 UN Member States. The meeting highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the urgent need for a ceasefire, release of hostages and unimpeded humanitarian access into and throughout Gaza. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said the conference demonstrated that there is another way forward, adding that the "international community demands an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal" as well as urgent humanitarian aid for Gaza. Mr Harris added that they were ready to take "concrete steps" to implement the two-state solution. "Ireland is doubling down on our commitment to achieve a just, lasting peace where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace and security. We will continue to do all in our power to work for that peace." Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment Emer Higgins represented Ireland at the conference. Recognition of Palestinian state The 15 Western nations also called on countries worldwide to move to recognise a Palestinian state, according to France's top diplomat. President Emmanuel Macron announced last week he would formally recognise Palestinian statehood in September, provoking strong opposition from Israel and the United States. France is hoping to build momentum around the formal recognition of a Palestinian state. Yesterday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes various "substantive steps", including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. Mr Starmer's move, paired with Paris, would make the two European allies the first G7 nations to do so. In the joint statement, the nations affirmed their "unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution". Nine of the signatories which have not yet recognised the Palestinian state expressed "the willingness or the positive consideration of their countries" to do so, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Seventeen countries, plus the European Union and Arab League, during the conference joined calls for Hamas to disarm and end its rule of Gaza, in a bid to end the devastating war in the Palestinian territory.
