UN Push to Revive Two-State Solution Amid Gaza Crisis

Foreign Ministers Jean-Noël Barrot (right) of France and Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, the co-chairs of the conference.

With Gaza in ruins and the two-State solution in jeopardy, ministers convened at the United Nations this week to revive political momentum toward ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — a crisis Secretary-General António Guterres warned is “at a breaking point.”

The High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution was held 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 achieve a just, peaceful, and lasting settlement of the 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 implemented on a time-bound 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, if they so wish.

In his stark opening remarks on Monday, Secretary-General Guterres emphasised 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.

Guterres 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 unrestricted humanitarian access.

“This conflict cannot be managed. It must be resolved,” he concluded. “We must act before it is too late.”

Over the three days, more than 125 speakers addressed the general debate, including high-level representatives from across the globe and major regional and international organisations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Delegates stressed the urgency of concrete steps to realise a two-State solution, including empowering and reforming the Palestinian Authority, reconstructing Gaza, and ensuring accountability for violations of international law.

France, a co-chair of the conference, reaffirmed its support for Israel while stating that Palestinians also deserve the right to a homeland.

“At a time when 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. He added that the recognition would come in September, during the 80th session of the General Assembly.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, highlighted the suffering of civilians in Gaza and condemned Israeli settlement expansion in Jerusalem and the West Bank aimed at altering the region’s demographics.

“Peace and security cannot be achieved through deprivation of rights or use of force,” he said, urging a genuine and irreversible peace process.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy outlined recent British measures, including suspending arms exports, imposing sanctions on extremist settlers, and restoring funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

“With the hand of history on our shoulders, His Majesty’s Government intends to recognise the State of Palestine when the General Assembly convenes in September,” he declared.

“We will do this unless the Israeli Government ends the appalling situation in Gaza, halts its military campaign, and commits to a long-term peace based on a two-State solution.”