UN Conference Debates Palestinian State Recognition in NY

A UN conference on the recognition of a Palestinian state is scheduled for next month in New York, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. France and the UK are leading European debates about granting recognition, with French officials pledging support and UK Labour figures pushing for action. Saudi Arabia maintains that recognition should precede peace negotiations. Israel has warned that unilateral recognition by European countries could lead to its annexation of parts of the West Bank and the legalization of unauthorized settlements. While countries like Germany and Hungary oppose unilateral steps, Spain and Malta are supportive. The US has announced it will not participate in the conference, and the likelihood of broader Western recognition remains uncertain.