This week, the United Nations was set to host a pivotal high-level conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at revitalizing the “two-state solution.” This long-standing vision seeks to allow Israel and Palestine to coexist peacefully as sovereign nations.
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However, Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and military installations on Friday morning significantly shifted the focus, casting doubt on the conference moving forward—at least for the time being.
By midday, Saudi Arabia was already seeking to postpone the event, largely due to airspace closures in the Middle East that would complicate travel to the United States. By evening, French President Emmanuel Macron officially announced the cancellation.
A ceasefire resolution passed overwhelmingly by the General Assembly on Thursday stipulated that the event must now occur within June 2025. Yet, diplomats noted that with only half of the month remaining, the pressure to reschedule was mounting.
As the logistics are worked out, one critical question looms: what can this gathering genuinely achieve given the current realities on the ground?
It is worth noting that members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet have openly discussed the possibility of expelling Palestinians from Gaza. After a staggering 20 months of conflict initiated by Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023, Gaza has been left in ruins. Simultaneously, the West Bank has seen a surge in illegal settlements, now home to over half a million Israeli settlers on lands recognized by most as Palestinian.
Despite these challenges, diplomatic sources acknowledge that initiating dialogue remains essential. But a pressing concern is who possesses the necessary authority—and political resolve—to negotiate the two-state solution. The Palestinian Authority, designated to lead the envisioned Palestinian state, is often viewed as too weak and corrupt, while Hamas, labeled a terrorist organization by much of the international community, continues to govern what remains of Gaza.
In response to appeals from various nations, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas recently penned a letter to the conference co-chairs, reportedly committing to a reform agenda while denouncing the Hamas attacks from October 7.
In contrast, Prime Minister Netanyahu has flatly rejected the two-state solution. His government ministers have even suggested the mass expulsion of Palestinians from their lands.
In a notable shift, the United States, traditionally a staunch supporter of the two-state idea, appeared to waver in its stance. President Donald Trump posited that there may be alternative solutions beyond the two-state framework. “Muslim countries have 644 times the amount of land that are controlled by Israel,” remarked US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on the BBC. “So maybe, if there is a genuine desire for a Palestinian state, someone could step up and offer to host it.”
Previously, Mr. Huckabee criticized France’s plan to co-host the UN conference, calling it “revolting,” even suggesting that France should consider allocating part of the French Riviera for a Palestinian state. Throughout these developments, Israel remained firm in its opposition to the UN event. Jonathan Harounoff, a spokesperson for Israel at the UN, stated, “We won’t be participating in a conference that does not first urgently address the issue of condemning Hamas and returning all remaining hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza—an act that was central to the conflict’s inception.”
Furthermore, this past Tuesday, the US escalated matters with a diplomatic cable warning UN member states against attending the conference to avoid “diplomatic consequences,” though it did not specify the nature of those repercussions. “We urge governments not to participate in the conference, which we see as counterproductive to the ongoing efforts to end the war in Gaza and free hostages,” the cable stated, signaling the US’s opposition to any unilateral recognition of a hypothetical Palestinian state.
This move was described by one European observer as “extremely undiplomatic diplomacy.” Nevertheless, many member nations seemed undeterred. As one senior European UN diplomat declared, it was “full-steam ahead.”
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly responded to Washington’s warnings, reaffirming, “This conference is organized within the UN framework. We are calling for broad participation among UN member states at the highest possible level. This is an opportunity to reignite dialogue concerning the implementation of a two-state solution.”
Uncertainty remains, though, regarding whether any nations will shy away from the conference given the US pressure, especially with President Trump in office. If rescheduled for later this month, all eyes will be on the General Assembly Hall to see who dares to attend.
A significant question also persists: will Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman make an appearance? As a co-chair, Saudi Arabia is a crucial ally of the United States. President Trump notably chose Saudi Arabia for his first overseas visit, underscoring the importance of this partnership.
The longstanding accord talks, known as the Abraham Accords, seek to normalize relations between Israel and Arab states. However, Saudi Arabia has its own conditions: an end to the war in Gaza and a credible path toward establishing a Palestinian state. Rumblings in the UN suggest the crown prince may only attend if France commits to Palestinian recognition, although France recently backed away from that notion. This potential rescheduling gives France the opportunity to further solidify its policy, as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot recently reaffirmed commitment to recognition but did not specify when.
As it stands, 147 out of 193 UN member states have recognized the state of Palestine, yet no G7 nation has done so. Nevertheless, analysts see momentum building towards taking concrete steps in addressing the Israel-Palestine conflict. “In light of Europe’s recent actions, many governments have begun to signal to Israel that enough is enough,” noted Max Rodenbeck, Israel/Palestine director at the International Crisis Group.
This was echoed as Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers for inciting violence against Palestinians. Sweden has also advocated for the EU to follow suit, pushing for the sanctioning of extremist ministers as well.
Throughout the week at the United Nations, there has been a palpable shift in sentiment, evoking hope that the global commitment to a two-state solution can be revived. Yet, the lingering question remains: will that momentum endure when the conference finally convenes?
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
