Friday, the United Nations General Assembly voted to approve a declaration described “of the tangible stages, linked to time and irreversible” to a solution to two states between Israel and the Palestinians before a meeting of the world leaders.
The seven -page statement is the result of an international conference at the UN in July – organized by Saudi Arabia and France – on the conflict for several decades.
The United States and Israel have boycotted the event. A resolution approving the declaration received 142 votes in favor and 10 against, while 12 countries abstained.
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Although Israel criticized the UN bodies for almost two years for their inability to condemn the attack on Hamas on October 7, 2023, the declaration, presented by France and Saudi Arabia, leaves no ambiguity.
How called the New York Declaration on the peaceful regulation of the Palestine issue and the implementation of the two -state solution, the text indicates that “Hamas must release all hostages” and that the United Nations General Assembly condemns “the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians on October 7”.
He also calls “a collective action to put an end to the war in Gaza, to reach a just, peaceful and sustainable settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the effective implementation of the two-state solution”.
The declaration, which has already been approved by the Arab League and co-signed in July by 17 UN Member States, including several Arab countries, also goes further than condemning Hamas, seeking to fully increase them against leadership in Gaza.
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“In the context of the end of the war in Gaza, Hamas must put an end to its reign in Gaza and put its arms to the Palestinian Authority, with international commitment and support, in accordance with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State,” said the declaration.
The vote precedes an upcoming United Nations Summit Co -led by Riyadh and Paris on September 22 in New York, in which French President Emmanuel Macron promised to officially recognize the Palestinian State.
“ Shield ” against criticism
“The fact that the General Assembly finally supports a text which directly condemns Hamas is significant”, even if “Israeli will say that it is far too little, far too late,” Richard Gowan, United Nations Director Crisis Group, told AFP.
“At least, at least states supporting the Palestinians can repel the Israeli accusations that they implicitly tolerate Hamas,” he said, adding that he “offers a shield against Israeli critics”.
In addition to Macron, several other leaders have announced their intention to officially recognize the Palestinian state during the United Nations Summit.
Gestures are considered a way to increase the pressure on Israel to end the war in Gaza, which was launched by the attacks of October 7, 2023 by Hamas.
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The New York Declaration includes a discussion on a “deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission” in the region beaten under the mandate of the United Nations Security Council, aimed at supporting the Palestinian civilian population and facilitating security responsibilities towards the Palestinian Authority.
About three -quarters of the 193 UN member states recognize the Palestinian state proclaimed in 1988 by the exiled Palestinian leadership.
However, after two years of war ravaged the Gaza Strip, in addition to the Israeli colonies extended to the West Bank and the desire declared by Israeli officials to annex the territory, the fears have increased that the existence of an independent Palestinian State will soon become impossible.
“We will keep our promise that there will be no Palestinian state,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised on Thursday.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas could be prevented from visiting New York for the United Nations Summit after the US authorities said they refused a visa.
