World Leaders Gather in New York to Push Two-State Solution

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

UNITED NATIONS — France and Saudi Arabia will convene dozens of global leaders on Monday in New York to push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with several countries expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state. The summit comes as international calls for Palestinian statehood intensify, sparking strong opposition from Israel and the United States.

On Sunday, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal officially recognized a Palestinian state, while France and five other nations are expected to announce recognition during Monday’s gathering. Supporters argue the move is vital to preserving the viability of a two-state solution, but critics, including Israel and the U.S., dismiss it as symbolic and counterproductive.

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon labeled the event a “circus,” confirming that both Israel and the U.S. will boycott the summit. Israeli officials have warned that recognition could push Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to consider annexing parts of the occupied West Bank and take bilateral measures against countries such as France.

Analysts say annexation could severely damage ties with Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords in 2020. UAE officials have warned that annexation is a “red line” that would undermine the spirit of the historic agreement.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to recognize Palestine is a political statement of support for peace and a rejection of Hamas. “It is a symbolic, immediate, political decision that demonstrates France’s commitment to the two-state solution,” Barrot told French media.

The U.N. General Assembly recently endorsed a declaration outlining “tangible, time-bound, and irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution while urging Hamas to surrender and disarm.

In Gaza, Palestinians fleeing fresh Israeli attacks expressed skepticism about whether recognition would translate into real progress. Nabeel Jaber, a displaced Palestinian, said:

“Even if countries such as Australia, Canada, and France recognize Palestine, I don’t believe there will be enough pressure on Israel to give us our rights.”

Meanwhile, many Israelis remain deeply opposed, citing the October 2023 Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 people and left 251 taken hostage. “We’ve offered them peace many times, and they always refused,” said Tamara Raveh, a 25-year-old student in Tel Aviv.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation will not attend in person after the U.S. denied them visas. Abbas is expected to address the summit via video. Similarly, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite co-hosting the summit, will appear remotely after the U.N. granted permission for his virtual participation.

The summit takes place against the backdrop of Israel’s ground assault on Gaza City, where more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health authorities. The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s 2023 attack, has left most of Gaza’s population displaced and facing famine.

Despite the growing momentum for recognition, divisions among Western powers and Israel’s threats of retaliation highlight the uncertain path ahead for the two-state solution.

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