The U.N. Common Meeting voted overwhelmingly Friday to assist a two-state answer to the Israel-Palestinian battle and urge Israel to decide to a Palestinian state, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently opposes.
The 193-member world physique permitted a nonbinding decision endorsing the “New York Declaration,” which units out a phased plan to finish the almost 80-year battle. The vote was 142-10 with 12 abstentions.
Hours earlier than the vote, Netanyahu mentioned “there might be no Palestinian state.” He spoke on the signing of an settlement to develop settlements that can divide the West Financial institution, which the Palestinians insist have to be a part of their state, saying, “This place belongs to us.”
The decision was sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, who co-chaired a high-level convention on implementing a two-state answer in late July, the place the declaration was permitted.
The almost two-year battle in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian battle are anticipated to be on the high of the agenda of world leaders at their annual gathering on the Common Meeting beginning on Sept. 22. The Palestinians say they hope no less than 10 extra nations will acknowledge the state of Palestine, including to the greater than 145 nations that already do.
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, mentioned the assist for the decision displays “the craving of virtually everybody, the worldwide group, to open the door for the choice of peace.”
With out naming Israel, he mentioned, “We invite a celebration that’s nonetheless pushing the choice of battle and destruction, and makes an attempt to remove the Palestinian individuals and steal their land, to take heed to the sound of purpose — to the sound of the logic of coping with this challenge peacefully, and for the overwhelming message that has resonated on this Common Meeting as we speak.”
However Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon dismissed the decision as “theater,” saying the one beneficiary is Hamas.
“This one-sided declaration is not going to be remembered as a step towards peace, solely as one other hole gesture that weakens this meeting’s credibility,” he mentioned.
America, Israel’s closest ally, reiterated its opposition to the New York Declaration and the Common Meeting decision endorsing implementation of the two-state answer.
The decision “is one more misguided and ill-timed publicity stunt that undermines severe diplomatic efforts to finish the battle,” U.S. Mission counselor Morgan Ortagus mentioned. “Make no mistake, this decision is a present to Hamas.”
The declaration condemns “the assaults dedicated by Hamas towards civilians” in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, a uncommon condemnation by Arab nations of Hamas. The Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 individuals, primarily Israeli civilians, and took about 250 hostage. Of these, 48 are nonetheless being held, together with about 20 who’re believed to be alive.
It additionally condemns Israel’s assaults on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza and its “siege and hunger, which have produced a devastating humanitarian disaster and safety disaster.” Israel’s offensive towards Hamas has killed over 64,000 Palestinians, in response to the Gaza Well being Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
The declaration envisions the Palestinian Authority governing and controlling all Palestinian territory, with a transitional administrative committee instantly established below its umbrella after a ceasefire in Gaza.
“Within the context of ending the battle in Gaza, Hamas should finish its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority,” the declaration says.
It additionally helps deployment of “a brief worldwide stabilization mission” working below U.N. auspices to guard Palestinian civilians, assist the switch of safety to the Palestinian Authority and supply safety ensures for Palestine and Israel — “together with monitoring of the ceasefire and of a future peace settlement.”
The declaration urges nations to acknowledge the state of Palestine, calling this “an important and indispensable element of the achievement of the two-state answer.” With out naming Israel however clearly referring to it, the doc says “unlawful unilateral actions are posing an existential risk to the conclusion of the impartial state of Palestine.”
