New York City – July 28, 2025 — The United Nations today kicked off an international conference aimed at creating momentum toward formal recognition of a Palestinian state and progress toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Co-hosted at U.N. Headquarters by France and Saudi Arabia, this meeting brings together global ministers seeking to translate diplomatic declarations into concrete action plans. Eunews, Reuters and The Guardian reported live coverage. Due to hostilities between Israel and Iran, the conference originally scheduled for mid-June was postponed until later this month. Diplomats reconvened from July 28-29 with renewed urgency to create a post-war roadmap addressing Palestinian statehood, Hamas disarmament, refugee return, and Palestinian Authority reform – among others. mes The Times of Israel +3Wikipedia+Reuters. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned against turning this meeting into “yet another exercise in well-meaning rhetoric,” emphasizing its potential role as a crucial turning point toward ending occupation and realizing a two-state solution. [AP News +3; Reuters +3 and Al Jazeera +3]. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot highlighted this urgency. Barrot revealed that half of European states have recognized Palestine, with additional ones considering recognition–including Britain and Germany–using this conference to encourage wider recognition. Its The Times of India +10; Reuters +10, The Guardian. Mohammad Mustafa of Palestine recently issued an appeal to nations that have not recognized Palestine yet to do so “immediately”, emphasizing how such recognition is essential in upholding Palestinian sovereignty and opening the way towards genuine peace talks. Reuters +15 Notably absent were delegations from Israel and the U.S., both of whom view this conference as counterproductive to mediation efforts. According to US officials, this event constitutes “a gift to Hamas,” while Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon warned it only deepened illusions rather than addressing core issues like hostage release and terrorist infrastructure destruction. President Emmanuel Macron and Foreign Minister Barrot announced France’s intention to officially recognize Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, becoming the first G7 nation to do so. Macron justified his move as necessary for peace; alongside calls for ceasefires, humanitarian aid access and reconstruction in Gaza. These announcements come shortly after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made similar pledges at Davos last month. +9 The EU’s wider position is also under pressure. According to reports, the European Commission is set to press Israel to stop settlement expansion in the West Bank, release EUR2 billion owed to the Palestinian Authority, and end militarized control of humanitarian aid distribution. While some nations such as Germany remain reluctant, Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Britain convened an emergency cabinet meeting today in response to domestic pressure regarding this crisis AP News +1 Although Palestine does not currently hold formal membership at the U.N., since 2012 they have non-member observer state status at the UN which is recognized by approximately 147 of 193 member states of the UN Security Council; full U.N. membership requires Security Council approval which could require US or Israeli vetoes; for more details see The Times or Wikipedia for details. As delegates meet during this two-day session, key goals include mapping a diplomatic recognition pathway, outlining security guarantees for Israel, proposing institutional reform of the Palestinian Authority and creating humanitarian relief mechanisms. The Times of Israel +3 AP News +3 Reuters have covered this event extensively. Ministers from over 125 nations will participate, hoping that this conference will spawn not just words, but genuine commitments to Palestinian sovereignty, reconstruction, and conflict resolution. The Guardian | AP News Today’s opening may mark more than just optics; for Palestinian leaders and supporters of a two-state model, it may represent the turning point on which international recognition turns into tangible political change.
