Palestinian statehood

Last Sunday, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia all recognized a Palestinian state – despite opposition from the American and Israeli governments, which said such a move would be a reward for terrorism. And despite the fact that the State of Palestine does not exist.

The following day, Monday 22nd September, a conference was held in the UN General Assembly in New York, chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, to generate even more support for the so-called “two state solution”. Several states spoke at the conference, some in favor of the recognition of Palestine, others, such as Germany and Japan, expressing their opposition to this initiative.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his government maintain that Germany will not recognize a Palestinian state “in the short term”, and that statehood should be the final step in a negotiated peace process leading to a two-state solution.

During the week, leaders of UN member states spoke at the opening of the 80th session of the General Assembly. On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke. Many representatives of other states left the room in protest. In his militant speech, to an almost-empty hall, Netanyahu underlined that Israel is fighting against Iran, and that the war in Gaza will not end until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages returned. Israel was followed by Pakistan and China. A strange morning indeed.

The empty seat of the Palestinian ambassador to UN during the speech of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations in NYC, USA | Photo: Liri Agami/FLASH90

Many side meetings were held during the course of the week. Last-minute efforts were made to persuade the Iranian delegation to take last-minute measures to allow inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency access to Iranian nuclear facilities, in order to avert the reimposition of sanctions on Iran. To no avail.

During a multilateral meeting with the leaders of eight Arab and Muslim countries, US President Donald Trump presented his plan for ending the Gaza war. Parts of the plan are based on a proposal crafted by former UK prime minister Tony Blair. The paper’s four key points were: welcoming the proposal for a comprehensive end to the war in Gaza; stressing the importance of bringing back the hostages, ending the war and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza; committing to be part of a peaceful solution for the region, based on Trump’s vision; and calling out continued Israeli strikes on countries in the region, including the recent attack on Hamas chiefs in Qatar.

The issue of possible Israeli “annexation” of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) remains a sensitive issue. Trump says he will not allow Israel to assume sovereignty over territory outside the Green Line. Israel, on the other hand, is considering applying sovereignty to Jewish communities in Area C of Judea and Samaria. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar noted that no decision had yet been made and emphasized that the government would not annex any Palestinian Authority-controlled territory.

In the meantime, the war in Gaza continues, and 48 hostages remain captive in tunnels deep under the ground.

UK, Canada, Australia recognize ‘State of Palestine’

The three nations’ prime ministers stress commitment to two-state solution.
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Trump presented comprehensive plan to end Gaza war in UN meeting with Muslim leaders

Participating countries issue position paper welcoming proposal, while stressing they oppose any Israeli occupation of Gaza, displacement of Palestinians or annexation of West Bank.
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Sa’ar: Israel discussing proposal to annex Judea, Samaria communities

“What can be discussed, but has not yet been decided, is implementing Israeli law over the Israeli communities that are there,” Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar has said.
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Andrew Tucker is in New York for the UN General Assembly. He gives us an inside look at what has happened so far and what is expected to happen at the meeting.