UNGA Endorses New York Declaration Backing Palestinian Statehood

The United Nations General Assembly recently adopted the New York Declaration, a resolution endorsing the peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution, with 142 countries voting in favor. The declaration explicitly condemns Hamas, demands the release of hostages, and calls for Hamas to end its rule in Gaza and disarm, transferring authority to the Palestinian Authority with international support. India voted in favor of the resolution, consistent with its long-standing support for Palestinian statehood. Israel and its key ally, the United States, voted against the resolution, with Israel criticizing the UN General Assembly for not recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization and dismissing it as detached from reality. The resolution, introduced by France and Saudi Arabia and co-signed by 17 member states, aims to renew international commitment to peace and precedes an upcoming UN summit where formal recognition of a Palestinian state is expected. While the declaration marks a significant step in rallying global support for Palestinian statehood, some critics argue the measures may be insufficient or delayed to address the ongoing conflict effectively.