29-07-2025
Palestinian Statehood Gathers Int'l Momentum at Two-State Solution Conference
Saudi Arabia and France have kicked off the UN Conference for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in New York, under the joint chairmanship of the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, to support Palestinian Statehood.
Dozens of ministers and high-level officials attended the meeting with the goal of recognizing a Palestinian State and working toward a two-state solution to end the war in Gaza and resolve the longstanding Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Charting the Path
The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution aims to chart a clear and irreversible pathway toward a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in accordance with UN resolutions.
The UN meeting comes at a time of 'a growing international consensus' for a non-military solution to the decades-long conflict, according to the Saudi and French foreign ministers. Hence, it has gathered international momentum around the recognition of Palestine as the key to the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
'This is not merely a political stance, but a firm conviction that an independent Palestinian state is the true key to peace in the region,' Prince Faisal bin Farhan said. Historic Stage
In his opening speech, the Saudi Foreign Minister described the conference as a 'historic stage' that reflects growing international consensus on the Palestinian people's right to establish their independent state and helps create the global conditions necessary to implement the two-state solution.
'Achieving security, stability, and prosperity for all the peoples of the region begins with justice for the Palestinian people and enabling them to attain their legitimate rights, foremost among them the establishment of their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,' Prince Faisal said.
He added that the Arab Peace Initiative, presented by Saudi Arabia and adopted by the Arab League in Beirut in 2002, represents a comprehensive foundation for any just and inclusive solution.
Additionally, he supported the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution as a practical framework for following up on the outcomes of this conference and for coordinating international efforts to implement concrete steps to end the occupation and realize the Palestinian state. Ending Palestinian Crisis
The Saudi Foreign Minister urged for an immediate end to the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying that the Kingdom and France were seeking approval from the World Bank to transfer $300 million to Gaza and the West Bank to counter the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine.
Moreover, he emphasized Saudi Arabia's support for UN agencies, particularly UNRWA, UNICEF, and the World Food Program, through providing humanitarian and relief aid, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Prince Faisal also called for ending this humanitarian catastrophe, holding those responsible accountable, and ending the policy of impunity in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Furthermore, he commended the reform efforts of the Palestinian Authority, voicing the Kingdom's support for these efforts in the areas of development, stimulating the Palestinian economy, and protecting it from collapse.
Within this context, the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa, expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia and France for leading this historic conference. 'The two-state solution conference confirms to the Palestinian people that the world stands with them,' he said. Endorsing Two-State Solution
Prince Faisal bin Farhan called the participating nations to endorse the conference's final communiqué, which represents a joint roadmap for implementing the two-state solution.
The two-state solution advocates for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State along the 1967 borders (which involves the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip), with East Jerusalem as its capital, allowing Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side in independent nations.
This solution has wide international support as it would grant the Palestinians their right of self-determination while ensuring Israel's security.
In the light of this, the French Foreign Minister said: 'Only a political, two-state solution will help respond to the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. There is no alternative.'
Similarly, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, reiterated that the only just and sustainable path forward is 'the establishment of two independent, democratic States – Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital, based on pre-1967 lines and in line with international law and UN resolutions.' Palestinian Statehood
Days ahead of the conference, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, said that Paris would recognize the State of Palestine in September at the UN General Assembly – a historic announcement that came as a result of Saudi Arabia's intensive diplomatic efforts.
In this regard, Barrot said that the conference would serve as a platform for other European countries to recognize Palestinian statehood. 'We have begun an unprecedented and unstoppable momentum for a political solution in the Middle East, which is already beginning to bear fruit,' he said.
The French minister referred to tangible steps such as 'recognition of Palestine, normalization and regional integration of Israel, reform of Palestinian governance, and the disarmament of Hamas,' according to Arab News.
Currently, about 147 out of the 193 UN member states recognize the State of Palestine, with recent recognitions coming from France, Spain, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Armenia and the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
The UK is considering the formal recognition of Palestinian Statehood. The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has come under mounting pressure within his Labour Party to help achieve a diplomatic solution, according to The Guardian.
'We are expectant that the outcome of the conference will be the UK Government outlining when and how it will act on its long-standing commitment on a two-state solution; as well as how it will work with international partners to make this a reality,' the MPs wrote in a letter to Starmer.
As a result, Starmer will convene his cabinet for an emergency meeting on Gaza this week, with government sources confriming that formal recognition of Palestinian statehood was a matter of 'when, not if' under the Labour government. Expected Outcomes
According to a draft seen by Arab News, the conference's outcome document strongly condemns Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, calling for an immediate ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages still held by Hamas. It also emphasizes the urgent need for unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza to alleviate humanitarian suffering.
Furthermore, the draft reaffirms the international community's unwavering commitment to the vision for two democratic states — Israel and Palestine — living side by side in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders.
It also outlines a commitment to develop a comprehensive framework for postwar Gaza, emphasizing guarantees for reconstruction, the disarmament of Hamas, and the exclusion of the group from Palestinian governance.
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