The United Nations General Assembly will vote on Friday on the “New York Declaration,” a resolution aimed at reviving the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine while explicitly excluding Hamas from leadership in Gaza.
The resolution, introduced by France and Saudi Arabia, breaks from previous UN texts by directly condemning Hamas. It declares that “Hamas must free all hostages” and formally states that the General Assembly condemns “the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians on the 7th of October.”
Beyond its condemnation, the declaration pushes for Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza: “In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State.”
The measure has already gained support from the Arab League and 17 UN member states, including several Arab nations, and precedes a major UN summit in New York on September 22, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to formally recognize the Palestinian state at that event, with other leaders expected to follow suit.
Analysts say the declaration helps deflect Israeli criticism of UN bodies. “The fact that the General Assembly is finally backing a text that condemns Hamas directly is significant,” Richard Gowan, UN Director at the International Crisis Group, told AFP. He noted that while Israel is likely to argue the move is “too little, too late,” the resolution provides “a shield against Israeli criticism.”
The text also calls for an international stabilization mission under the UN Security Council to operate in Gaza, supporting civilians and helping the Palestinian Authority take on security responsibilities.
While three-quarters of UN members already recognize the Palestinian state proclaimed in 1988, momentum has been growing in recent months as the war in Gaza enters its second year and Israeli settlements expand in the West Bank.
Still, the outlook remains deeply divided. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday, “We are going to fulfill our promise that there will be no Palestinian state.” By contrast, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who faces the possibility of being denied a US visa, may not even be able to attend the UN summit.
What You Should Know
The “New York Declaration” marks a turning point in UN diplomacy by condemning Hamas outright while reaffirming the two-state solution.
Backed by France, Saudi Arabia, and the Arab League, it pressures Israel to halt the war in Gaza and bolsters international recognition of Palestinian statehood.
However, strong Israeli opposition and ongoing conflict raise doubts about whether the resolution can translate into meaningful change.
