US Boycotts UN Two-State Solution Conference, Calls It Publicity Stunt

The U.S. State Department, under President Trump, has firmly rejected participation in a United Nations conference co-led by France and Saudi Arabia aimed at promoting a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce criticized the summit as an "unproductive and ill-timed publicity stunt" that would empower Hamas, prolong the war, and undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the fighting in Gaza. The U.S. also condemned French President Emmanuel Macron's recent recognition of a Palestinian state, calling it counterproductive and a reward for terrorism that weakens peace initiatives. Despite longstanding U.S. policy historically supporting a two-state solution, the Trump administration sides largely with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposes full Palestinian sovereignty without Israeli security control. The conference highlighted divisions among U.S. allies, with France and Saudi Arabia advocating for Palestinian statehood while the U.S. and Israel boycott the event, emphasizing real-world diplomacy over symbolic conferences. UN Secretary-General António Guterres lamented the distance to a two-state solution amid ongoing violence and humanitarian crises in Gaza.