The U.N. General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly, on Friday, in favor of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, urging Israel to commit to the creation of a Palestinian state.
The 193-member body approved the nonbinding resolution endorsing the “New York Declaration,” which lays out a phased plan to end the decades-long conflict.
The measure passed with 142 votes in favor, 10 against, and 12 abstentions.
The resolution was sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, who co-chaired a July high-level conference that adopted the declaration.
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The nearly two-year war in Gaza and the wider conflict are expected to dominate the agenda when world leaders gather at the General Assembly beginning Sept. 22.
Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour welcomed the vote, calling it a reflection of the international community’s “yearning” for peace. He urged Israel to “listen to the sound of reason.”
The United States voted against the resolution, calling it “a misguided and ill-timed publicity stunt” that hampers serious diplomacy.
The New York Declaration condemned both Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on civilians in Israel and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The declaration also proposes a temporary U.N.-backed international mission to protect Palestinian civilians, monitor a ceasefire, and provide security guarantees for both Palestine and Israel. It urges more countries to recognize the state of Palestine, calling recognition “an essential component” of achieving peace. — Agencies via SG
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