Diplomatic sources announced that the United Nations will hold an international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution on July 28 and 29. The conference, originally scheduled for June in New York, was postponed at the last minute due to the military escalation between Israel and Iran, according to Agence France-Presse.
The conference, called for by the UN General Assembly, aims to discuss ways to relaunch effective political negotiations leading to a two-state solution as a strategic option for achieving lasting peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis, ensuring the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel.
The conference will be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic sources did not disclose details of the conference agenda or the level of official representation of the participating countries, especially since several heads of state and government were expected to attend the previous conference in June.
The announcement of the conference date comes at a time of increasing international calls for a just settlement to end the spiral of escalating violence in the Palestinian territories. In his statements, French President Emmanuel Macron called for joint recognition of the State of Palestine by both France and the United Kingdom, stressing the need to advance practical steps that translate existing international commitments regarding the two-state solution. For his part, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for focusing first on achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as a prelude to any future political steps.
Observers point out that the convening of this conference at its new timing reflects the international community’s desire to overcome current divisions and focus on formulating a shared vision to revive the peace process, especially with the growing regional and international concern over the repercussions of the continuing conflict without a clear political horizon. The conference is expected to present recommendations and a roadmap to support the efforts of the United Nations and other actors in the settlement process, ensuring a reduction of tensions and the restoration of stability to the region.
This move is part of a series of accelerated diplomatic efforts recently witnessed on the international scene to find permanent solutions to the decades-long conflict, amid warnings from humanitarian organizations of the deteriorating situation on the ground and its humanitarian repercussions in the Palestinian territories.
