UN General Assembly Plans Vote on Hamas-Free Palestinian State

The United Nations General Assembly is set to vote on the New York Declaration, a resolution aimed at reviving the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine while explicitly excluding Hamas from any leadership role. The declaration condemns the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and calls for Hamas to release all hostages and relinquish control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority, with international support, to establish a sovereign and independent Palestinian state. The resolution has garnered support from the Arab League, 17 UN member states, and several Western countries, while French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to formally recognize the Palestinian state at an upcoming UN summit co-chaired by Paris and Riyadh. Critics argue that the declaration unrealistically demands democratic commitments from Palestinians amid ongoing war and hostilities, and some contend it overlooks key unresolved issues such as Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees. President Donald Trump opposes unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, viewing it as a reward for Hamas, and has denied visas to Palestinian officials for UN events. The vote marks a significant moment in international efforts to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing collective action to end the Gaza war and achieve a lasting peace.