Saudi Arabia, France urge UN to back two-state peace plan

Post by : Jyoti Singh

Photo: Reuters

The decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has taken a new turn. In an important meeting at the United Nations this week, Saudi Arabia and France came together to ask countries around the world to support a plan aimed at bringing peace to the troubled region. The meeting, held in New York, focused on how to end the ongoing war in Gaza and set the foundation for a peaceful future where both Israel and Palestine can exist side by side as independent countries.

This proposal is part of a seven-page declaration that outlines specific steps and goals. The aim is to bring lasting peace between Israel and Palestine by supporting a two-state solution. This means that the two groups Israelis and Palestinians would live in separate, fully recognised countries with equal rights and secure borders.

The international conference was hosted by Saudi Arabia and France. However, two of the most influential countries in the matter Israel and the United States did not attend. They chose to boycott the meeting, meaning they did not participate or send representatives.

A Call for Global Support

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud made a strong appeal during the conference. He asked all countries at the United Nations to support the declaration before the current session of the General Assembly ends. The next session will begin in September, and the goal is to have wide international backing by then. Countries interested in supporting the plan have been told to contact the missions of Saudi Arabia and France at the United Nations in New York.

End the War First

The first step in the declaration is very clear: the 22-month-long war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in Gaza, must end immediately. The war has brought great suffering, destruction, and loss of life to both sides, but especially to the people of Gaza.

Once the fighting stops, the next step is to form a temporary administrative committee to help manage Gaza. This committee will work under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority, the official Palestinian government that currently manages parts of the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority would take responsibility for organising life in Gaza again, with help from the international community.

Peacekeeping Support

To ensure that peace continues and that Gaza does not fall back into chaos, the plan includes a proposal to send a temporary peacekeeping force. This international mission would be organised under the authority of the United Nations Security Council. Several countries have already said they are ready to send troops to help stabilise the region if needed.

Clear Demands for Israel

The declaration does not stop there. It also calls on the Israeli government to clearly say that it supports a two-state solution. This means Israel would officially agree to let the Palestinian people have their own country with full rights, safety, and independence.

The plan asks Israel to stop all violent actions and incitement (which means encouraging violence) against Palestinians. It also demands that Israel put an end to the expansion of settlements. Settlements are communities built by Israelis on land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem land that Palestinians claim as part of their future state. These actions are seen by many around the world as a violation of international law.

Taking Action Against Violence

To support peace and justice, the declaration calls for strong actions against those who promote violence. It suggests restrictions on people who are part of violent settler groups or who break international laws. These actions could include banning individuals or groups who support illegal activities from entering other countries, freezing their assets, or punishing them in other legal ways.

Peace for the Whole Region

The declaration is not only focused on Israel and Palestine. It also speaks about the need for peace in the whole Middle East region. The goal is to build normal, peaceful relations between all countries and peoples in the region. The document says that only by ending the war, releasing all prisoners and hostages, and respecting the rights of all nation including Palestine and Israel can lasting peace and stability be achieved.

The declaration connects regional peace with Palestinian statehood. In other words, the document says that creating an independent and democratic Palestinian country is not just good for Palestinians, but also for the long-term peace and security of the entire region, including Israel.

Missing Voices from the Meeting

While many countries attended the conference and showed their support for the plan, Israel and the United States did not. Their absence was deeply felt, since both countries have a strong influence over the conflict. Israel is directly involved in the war and has a long history with the Palestinians, while the United States has long been a close ally of Israel and plays a major role in international diplomacy.

Despite their absence, France and Saudi Arabia continued to lead the discussions and encouraged other countries to show support. Many believe that with enough international backing, Israel and the United States may eventually feel pressure to join future talks and support the process.

This new declaration is a major attempt by countries like Saudi Arabia and France to bring fresh hope to a conflict that has lasted for more than 70 years. By clearly outlining steps that must be taken and calling for urgent action, they are trying to move beyond just words and promises. The goal is to create real change, step by step, that leads to peace and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The world now watches to see if more countries will support the plan. If enough nations stand behind it, it could mark a turning point in a conflict that has caused deep pain for generations. Ending the war in Gaza, recognising the rights of Palestinians to their own country, and ensuring security for Israel could finally offer a path to peace that has long seemed out of reach.

As the September session of the UN General Assembly approaches, all eyes will be on whether the international community chooses to support this bold plan. Peace, freedom, and fairness could be possible if the world acts together

United Nations