New York: A world in which a sovereign State of Palestine and Israel coexist peacefully seems a distant prospect, particularly in light of the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel and the subsequent Israeli bombardment of Gaza. A high-level UN conference opening on 28 July will, nevertheless, serve as the latest UN-backed attempt to find a way to end the conflict.
According to EMM, the conference is not being touted as a peace conference, but as a platform to maintain dialogue and seek solutions beyond current impasses. Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae, emphasized the importance of listening and learning to advance the debate. UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated the necessity of the two-State solution, questioning alternatives that would either expel Palestinians or leave them with no rights.
The conference, held at the Trusteeship Council at UN Headquarters in New York, follows a General Assembly Resolution (Resolution ES-10/22) adopted in 2024. The organizers of the event continue to urge Israel and Palestine to engage despite the challenging circumstances, including ongoing hostilities and hostage situations. The conference aims to implement, rather than revive endless peace processes, the two-State solution widely seen as essential for regional peace and stability.
Preparatory discussions highlighted the need for irreversible steps towards establishing a Palestinian State, including a lasting ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and addressing the root causes of the conflict. French and Saudi Arabian representatives stressed that a broader political solution grounded in a credible plan is necessary, not just temporary ceasefires.
The two-State solution, envisaging separate nations for Jewish and Palestinian populations, has been part of international discourse since before the founding of the UN. The Oslo Accord of 1993 remains the most significant agreement towards this goal, although subsequent negotiations have been inconclusive.
Three decades on from the Oslo Accord, the UN continues to support efforts to resolve the conflict and end occupation in line with international resolutions. The vision remains for two sovereign states, Israel and Palestine, to live in peace and security with recognized borders and Jerusalem as a shared capital.
