New York Declaration Unveiled: Phased Plan Envisions Demilitarized Palestinian State Beside Israel
“In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority,” the declaration states.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — High-level representatives at a United Nations conference on Tuesday issued a forceful call for Israel to support the creation of a Palestinian state, while giving “unwavering support” to a two-state solution as the only viable path to end one of the world’s longest-standing conflicts, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The gathering produced the “New York Declaration,” a phased plan aimed at ending the nearly 80-year Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing war in Gaza. The plan envisions a demilitarized, independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside Israel, with both nations eventually integrated into the broader Middle East region.
The conference convened amid growing reports of starvation and famine in Gaza, with international criticism mounting over Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries—accusations that Israel has repeatedly denied. Originally scheduled for two days, the conference was extended into Wednesday due to an overwhelming number of country representatives—nearly 50—yet to speak.
Israel Rejects the Initiative
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the conference and firmly rejected the two-state framework, citing national security and ideological objections. The United States, Israel’s key ally, also boycotted the meeting, labeling it “unproductive and ill-timed.”
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon lashed out at the 125 participating nations late Tuesday, saying, “There are those in the world who fight terrorists and extremist forces and then there are those who turn a blind eye to them or resort to appeasement.”
Despite Israel’s opposition, the conference established eight high-level working groups to develop proposals on key aspects of the two-state solution. It also brought together co-chairs France and Saudi Arabia, along with the European Union, the Arab League, and 15 countries that led the working groups. These actors collectively vowed “to take collective action to end the war in Gaza.”
New Roles for the Palestinian Authority
The declaration envisions a revitalized Palestinian Authority (PA) assuming full governance of Palestinian territories. It proposes the immediate formation of a transitional administrative committee under the PA’s umbrella once a Gaza ceasefire is achieved.
“In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority,” the declaration states.
It also supports deploying a temporary international stabilization mission under U.N. auspices to protect Palestinian civilians, facilitate security transfers to the PA, and monitor the ceasefire and any future peace agreement.
Condemnations on Both Sides
The New York Declaration marks a diplomatic shift as Arab nations, for the first time, officially condemned Hamas for the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and saw roughly 250 taken hostage. Around 50 hostages are still believed to be held.
The declaration simultaneously condemned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, citing attacks on civilians and infrastructure, a siege, and starvation that have resulted in a “devastating humanitarian catastrophe.” According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, though the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Calls for Palestinian State Recognition
The document urges U.N. member states to recognize the state of Palestine, calling such recognition “an essential and indispensable component of the achievement of the two-state solution.” It also warns that “illegal unilateral actions”—a clear reference to Israeli settlement expansion—pose a serious threat to that goal.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will recognize the state of Palestine during the U.N. General Assembly in September. Similarly, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged British recognition unless Israel engages in a ceasefire and peace process within eight weeks. France and the U.K. are now the only G7 countries to make such a pledge.
In a related move, 15 Western nations, including Australia, Canada, Finland, and New Zealand, issued a separate statement titled the “New York Call,” urging others to join in recognizing Palestine as a necessary step toward peace.
