ALWAGHT- The UN General Assembly approved the New York Declaration, emphasizing a two-state solution, prompting opposition from the US and Israel but strong backing from Arab countries.
On Friday, the UN General Assembly voted in favor of the New York Declaration, a resolution outlining concrete steps for implementing a two-state solution. Introduced by France and Saudi Arabia, the draft calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state without Hamas and condemns Israeli attacks on civilians, infrastructure, and the blockade of Gaza. The resolution passed with 142 votes in favor, 12 against, and 10 abstentions, ahead of a September 22 meeting co-chaired by Paris and Riyadh to further discuss recognition of Palestine.
The seven-page New York Declaration, the outcome of a July UN conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, proposes a roadmap for ending the Gaza war, halting Israeli occupation of the West Bank, and broadening international recognition of a Palestinian state. Key measures include humanitarian aid delivery, Gaza reconstruction, Palestinian self-determination, prisoner exchanges, Israeli withdrawal, and elections in Palestine. The declaration reaffirms Gaza and the West Bank as integral parts of a future Palestinian state.
The UNGA decision drew mixed reactions. Israel and the United States opposed the resolution, claiming it ignores Hamas’s role and disarmament issues. Conversely, Palestinian officials, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council welcomed the move, hailing it as an important step toward ending occupation, securing Palestinian rights, and advancing the two-state solution.
