New york: The UN General Assembly has endorsed a proposal advocating for a two-state solution to address the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, calling for an end to Hamas control over the territory. The resolution was supported by 142 countries, with 10 votes in opposition, including from the US and Israel, and 12 abstentions.
According to Ghana News Agency, the vote occurred ahead of a scheduled meeting on September 22, prior to the UN General Debate. During this session, French President Emmanuel Macron announced France's official recognition of Palestine as a state. This marked the second session of the UN General Assembly and the first vote under the leadership of its new president, Annalena Baerbock, former German foreign minister.
The endorsed document emphasizes the need for Hamas to relinquish control in Gaza and transfer its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international involvement and assistance. It also condemns the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The seven-page New York Declaration, which serves as a roadmap for resolving the Middle East conflict with two coexisting states-Israel and Palestine-was drafted in July at a UN conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.
At the time of drafting, 17 countries, including Britain, Canada, Brazil, and Jordan, supported the paper. However, Israel and the United States boycotted the event, expressing strong criticism. The document calls for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, urging Israel to commit to the two-state solution. It condemns Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip, calls for a withdrawal from the coastal area, and demands a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages. It also highlights the need to halt settlement activities by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
