By Deutsche Welle
04 Dec 2024, 00:53 AM EST
The United Nations General Assembly called on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories and advocated the creation of a Palestinian state. by calling a global conference in June to push for a two-state solution.
In a resolution approved by 157 votes in favor, eight against – including the United States and Israel – and seven abstentions, the Assembly expressed its “unwavering support, in accordance with international law, for the two-State solution: Israel and Palestine.” .
The main UN body considered that both should “live side by side in peace and security within recognized borders, based on pre-1967 boundary lines.”
The Assembly also convened a high-level international meeting in New York in June 2025, to be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, to reinvigorate diplomatic efforts toward that goal.
Macron advanced plan during visit to Saudi Arabia
French President Emmanuel Macron shared the plan during his visit to Saudi Arabia. “We have decided to hold a conference next June for the two states,” said the president, who was quoted by French media, referring to an Israeli state and a Palestinian state.
Macron stressed the need to gather support for this plan in the coming months, according to reports. He expressed hope that the summit would address Israel’s security problems and demonstrate that a two-state solution can work for all parties involved.
The president reaffirmed that France is willing to recognize a Palestinian State, but stressed that this recognition must occur “at a useful time.”
Illegal occupation
The UN considers the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip to be under illegal occupation by Israel.
That country took control of the Gaza Strip in 1967 and maintained troops and settlements there until 2005. Although it withdrew, it is still considered the occupying power.
It was a UN General Assembly resolution in 1947 that divided Palestine, ruled at the time by the British, into two states: one Arab and the other Jewish.
But the creation of Israel was only proclaimed on May 14, 1948, which triggered a war between the Jewish State and its Arab neighbors.
jc (afp, dpa)