On September 12, 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the "New York Declaration," a significant resolution aimed at revitalizing the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. The declaration, however, explicitly excludes Hamas from the peace process.
The resolution, presented by France and Saudi Arabia, received overwhelming support with 142 member states voting in favor, 10 against, and 12 abstentions. It unequivocally condemns the attacks committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and calls for the immediate release of all hostages. The declaration also demands that Hamas relinquish its leadership role in Gaza and surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, a move intended to pave the way for a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.
This pivotal vote precedes a crucial UN summit scheduled for September 22, 2025, in New York, co-chaired by Riyadh and Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to formally recognize the State of Palestine at this summit, a move that several other leaders are also anticipated to make. This collective recognition aims to increase pressure on Israel to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which was ignited by the October 7th attacks.
Richard Gowan, UN Director at the International Crisis Group, highlighted the significance of the General Assembly's direct condemnation of Hamas, while acknowledging that some Israelis might perceive the resolution as insufficient. The declaration also proposes the deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission under UN Security Council mandate to support the Palestinian civilian population and bolster the Palestinian Authority's security responsibilities.
Despite approximately three-quarters of UN member states recognizing the Palestinian state proclaimed in 1988, concerns are mounting that the opportunity for an independent Palestinian state is diminishing due to the protracted war in Gaza and continued Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly stated his commitment to preventing a Palestinian state, even as international efforts to advance a two-state solution gain momentum.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's ability to attend the upcoming UN summit has been uncertain, with reports of the U.S. revoking visas for Palestinian officials, including Abbas himself, ahead of the proceedings. The "New York Declaration" represents a unified international endeavor to address the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to actively pursue a path toward a lasting and peaceful resolution.