New york: Palestine welcomed a final statement issued by a UN conference in New York on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, calling it a significant step toward ending the war in Gaza and advancing the two-state solution.
According to Anadolu Agency, Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh expressed support for the New York conference's statement, which advocated for recognizing the State of Palestine, reviving the political process based on the two-state solution, restoring international legitimacy, ceasing the war in the Gaza Strip, and delivering aid without obstacles.
Al-Sheikh also affirmed Palestine's commitment to the contents of a letter sent by President Mahmoud Abbas to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. The letter included pledges about Gaza's future post-conflict, such as assuming administrative control and demanding Hamas to disarm.
The conference, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, concluded with a statement urging Israel to withdraw from Gaza and transfer control to the Palestinian Authority under a unified governance principle. It also called for full Palestinian recognition and UN membership, an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, Israeli troop withdrawal, and unhindered humanitarian aid.
The declaration emphasized internal Palestinian reforms, including national elections within a year and enhancing governance and security. It proposed an international fund for Gaza's reconstruction, with a donor conference planned in Cairo.
Out of 193 UN member states, at least 142 recognize the Palestinian state, declared by the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1988. Ahead of the conference, Macron announced France's intention to formally recognize Palestine in September.
The conference follows continued Israeli military actions in Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in over 60,000 Palestinian deaths and significant devastation. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Gaza.