On Friday, the UN General Assembly announced its support for the majority voted New York Declaration. This declaration outlines the specific and time-bound procedures for implementing so-called two-state solutions.
The resolution introduced by France and Saudi Arabia relate to the “establishment of a Palestinian state without Hamas” and was adopted with 142 votes, opposition and 10 abstentions.
The draft text condemns the Israeli regime’s attacks on civilians in Gaza, civil infrastructure, and attacks on lockdowns and starvation imposed on the residents of the Enclave, stressing that the two states’ solutions must be revived without Hamas.
The UNGA move was co-chaired by Paris and Riad, just 10 days before the meeting held on September 22nd.
What is the New York Declaration?
The 7-page New York Declaration is the result of an international conference at the United Nations in July, adopted by Saudi Arabia and France, and is about decades of conflict. The US and Israeli administrations boycotted the event.
The International Conference on Palestine was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from July 27th to 29th. The conference issued a statement calling for collective action to end the Gaza War and reaffirm its support for the two states’ solutions and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
As stated by the UN’s French Ambassador, the declaration includes specific specific steps to achieve the two state solutions that will be discussed at the upcoming General Assembly session. Participating countries can deliberate on their way forward and then publish a final document.
The New York Declaration outlines a roadmap for ending the Gaza War, ending the Israeli regime’s occupation of the West Bank, and accelerating and expanding the awareness of the Palestinian state on the international stage. Key points raised at international conferences include ending Israeli occupation, withdrawing Zionists from the occupied territories, allowing Palestinians to have the right to self-determination, a fair resolution to the refugee issue, implementing solutions for the two states, disarming and allowing irreversible measures to host elections in Palestine.
The declaration also highlights the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, the reconstruction of enclaves, the formation of a transition committee under the Palestinian authorities to administer Gaza, the exchange of prisoners, the return of Israeli prisoners’ bodies, and the complete withdrawal of Israel from Gaza. Reaffirming that Gaza and the West Bank are inseparable, Gaza, alongside the West Bank, forms part of the future Palestinian province.
Reaction to the UN General Assembly decision
As expected, the Israeli administration opposed the support of the New York Declaration of UNGA, claiming it was a shameful and a factor that would prolong the war.
A spokesman for the Israeli government’s Foreign Ministry described the general assembly as a suspected political circus that separated it from reality. He added that the New York declaration does not mention Hamas’ role in the ongoing war, disarmament, or the release of Israeli prisoners of war. The US delegation also opposed the declaration being voting.
Morgan Ortags, an adviser to the United Nations’ US delegation, repeatedly opposed Washington’s opposition to the New York Declaration and the establishment of a Palestinian state, claiming that the General Assembly move would be a gift for Hamas.
Meanwhile, Hussein al-Sheikh, deputy director of the Palestinian authorities, welcomed the move as an important step towards ending Israeli occupation. He welcomed the establishment of the Palestinian state as the capital with East Al-Kud in 1967, as well as UNGA’s support for the two states’ solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Saudi Arabia also welcomed the General Assembly decision, highlighting in a statement that the move reflects international consensus on securing legitimate rights for Palestinians.
Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, the Council on Cooperation in the Persian Gulf, and the Arab Federation have likewise welcomed the UNGA step.
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