The Excessive-level Worldwide Convention for the Peaceable Settlement of the Query of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Answer occurred in New York from 28 to 30 July.
The US and Israel didn’t take part.
France and Saudi Arabia, co-chairs of the convention, referred to as on all UN Member States to assist a declaration urging collective motion to finish the warfare in Gaza and to realize a simply, peaceable and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian battle.
The New York Declaration on the Peaceable Settlement of the Query of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Answer outlines political, humanitarian and safety steps to be taken on a timebound and irreversible foundation.
The co-chairs urged international locations to endorse the declaration by the top of the 79th session of the Basic Meeting, in early September, ought to they so want.
Act earlier than it’s too late
In his stark opening remarks on Monday, Secretary-Basic Guterres stressed that the two-State solution is the only viable path to ending the longstanding battle and attaining lasting peace within the area, warning that there isn’t a various.
“A one-State actuality the place Palestinians are denied equal rights and compelled to reside underneath perpetual occupation and inequality? A one-State actuality the place Palestinians are expelled from their land? That isn’t peace. That isn’t justice. And that isn’t acceptable,” he mentioned.
He condemned each Hamas’ 7 October 2023 assaults and the size of Israel’s army response, reiterating his name for a right away and everlasting ceasefire, the unconditional launch of hostages and unfettered humanitarian entry.
“This battle can’t be managed. It should be resolved,” Mr. Guterres concluded. “We should act earlier than it’s too late.”
Secretary-Basic António Guterres addresses the high-level convention on the peaceable settlement of the query of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State answer.
Requires peace
Over the three days, greater than 125 audio system took the ground through the normal debate, together with high-level representatives from throughout the globe and main regional and worldwide organizations such because the Group of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Worldwide Committee of the Purple Cross (ICRC).
Delegates underscored the urgency of concrete steps to understand a two-State answer, highlighting the necessity to empower and reform the Palestinian Authority, reconstruct Gaza and guarantee accountability for violations of worldwide legislation.
France, which co-chaired the convention, recalled its assist for Israel because it joined the neighborhood of countries and affirmed that Palestinians deserve the identical proper to a homeland.
“At a time the place the two-State answer is extra threatened than ever, France is able to totally recognise the State of Palestine,” mentioned Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and International Affairs. That recognition, he added, would are available September when leaders reconvene for the Basic Meeting’s eightieth session.
Co-chair Saudi Arabia’s International Minister, Faisal bin Farhan al Saud, emphasised the struggling of 1000’s of civilians in Gaza underneath bombardment whereas Israeli settlements develop in Jerusalem and the West Financial institution to change the area’s demographic nature.
“Peace and safety don’t happen by way of deprivation of rights or power,” he mentioned, underscoring the necessity for a real and irreversible peace course of.

International Secretary David Lammy of the UK addresses the high-level convention.
The UK’s International Secretary, David Lammy, outlined current nationwide actions, together with the suspension of arms exports and sanctions on extremist settlers and restoring of funding to the UN Reduction and Works Company for Palestine Refugees (UNWRA).
“It’s with the hand of historical past on our shoulders that His Majesty’s Authorities due to this fact intends to recognise the State of Palestine when the UN Basic Meeting gathers in September right here in New York,” he declared.
“We’ll do that except the Israeli Authorities acts to finish the appalling scenario in Gaza, ends its army marketing campaign and commits to a long-term sustainable peace primarily based on a two-State answer.”