New
York Conference Urges Concrete Action to Advance Two-State Solution
New
York, 23 Sep (ONA) — A high-level international conference on the Palestinian
issue concluded in New York with a call for the international community to
translate diplomatic support into concrete measures implementing the two-state
solution.
The
conference produced the “New York Declaration,” endorsed by 142 UN General
Assembly member states, reaffirming global commitment to a two-state solution
and establishing what organizers described as an “irreversible path”
toward peace for Palestinians, Israelis, and all peoples of the region.
A
presidential statement noted the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza
amid Israel’s escalating ground offensive, positioning the declaration as a
principled alternative to continuing violence. The statement welcomed recent
recognitions of Palestinian statehood by Australia, Belgium, Canada, France,
Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.
Ending
the war in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages remains the immediate
priority, the statement emphasized, calling for a permanent ceasefire,
hostage-prisoner exchanges, guaranteed humanitarian access, and complete
Israeli military withdrawal from the territory.
The
declaration committed supporters to backing a temporary international
stabilization mission—requested by the Palestinian Authority and authorized by
the UN Security Council—while enhancing training and equipment for Palestinian
security forces. It endorsed unifying the West Bank and Gaza under the
Palestinian Authority through the principle of “one state, one government,
one law, one security authority.”
Conference
participants urged support for an “Emergency Coalition for Palestine”
to mobilize urgent budgetary support, demanding Israel transfer withheld
Palestinian tax revenues and review the Paris Economic Protocol.
The
statement demanded Israel explicitly commit to the two-state solution by
halting settlement expansion, land confiscation, and annexation activities,
warning that any annexation would cross an international “red line”
with serious consequences.
A
just and lasting peace ending Israeli occupation remains the only path to full
regional integration, the statement concluded, consistent with UN resolutions
and the Arab Peace Initiative. It welcomed efforts toward regional security
arrangements and reviving Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese peace tracks.
The
conference called on all nations to join this diplomatic momentum to achieve
mutual recognition, comprehensive regional integration, and sustainable peace
for all Middle Eastern peoples.
—
Ends/Khalid
