The New York Declaration emerged from an international conference convened in July at the United Nations Headquarters. This pivotal gathering was organized collaboratively by France and Saudi Arabia and is set to resume later this month. During this conference, the General Assembly, which encompasses all 193 UN Member States, witnessed a significant moment when 142 countries voted in favor of a resolution endorsing the New York Declaration. However, it is noteworthy that Israel voted against the resolution, joined by nine other nations, including Argentina, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, and the United States, while 12 nations chose to abstain from voting.
Prior to the pivotal vote, French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont emphasized the importance of the New York Declaration, stating that it “lays out a single roadmap to deliver the two-State solution.” This comprehensive roadmap entails several crucial elements aimed at fostering peace in the region. Key components include an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages currently held there, and the establishment of a Palestinian State that is both viable and sovereign. Furthermore, the roadmap advocates for the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from any governance role in Gaza. It also calls for normalization of relations between Israel and various Arab nations, alongside collective security guarantees.
In the lead-up to the vote, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon expressed strong opposition to the declaration, labeling it a “one-sided Declaration” that, in his view, would not contribute to peace. He argued that this declaration would be remembered as “another hollow gesture that weakens this Assembly’s credibility.” Danon further asserted that Hamas would emerge as the biggest beneficiary of any endorsement from the Assembly, suggesting it could leverage the declaration as a propaganda tool, calling it “the fruit of 7 October.”
This high-level international conference took place against a backdrop of escalating conflict in Gaza and increasingly bleak prospects for achieving a lasting two-State solution. The New York Declaration represents an effort by the international community to address these pressing issues and work towards a more peaceful future in the region.
