Saudi Arabia and France are calling on U.N. member states to endorse a new declaration outlining concrete steps toward achieving a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. The seven-page document emerged from an international conference hosted by the two nations at the United Nations this week. The United States and Israel boycotted the meeting.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud urged nations to back the proposal before the current 79th U.N. General Assembly session ends in September. The declaration’s first priority is ending the 22-month war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. It proposes forming a transitional administrative committee under the Palestinian Authority to manage Gaza post-ceasefire and deploying a temporary U.N.-mandated international stabilization mission, with several countries expressing willingness to contribute troops.
The declaration presses Israel to publicly commit to a sovereign Palestinian state, halt settlement expansion, and cease violence against Palestinians. It also calls for targeted measures against extremist settlers and individuals opposing peaceful resolutions.
Additionally, the document links regional stability to Palestinian statehood, emphasizing that coexistence and normal relations in the Middle East require ending the Gaza conflict, releasing hostages, rejecting terrorism, and securing mutual guarantees for both states.
This initiative reflects growing international pressure for a viable Palestinian state as part of a broader peace framework, amid ongoing humanitarian crises and escalating tensions in the region. By seeking unified global action, Saudi Arabia and France aim to revive stalled peace efforts and establish irreversible pathways toward a lasting resolution.