States seeking to revive two-state solution at UN conference chaired by France, Saudi Arabia

Several UN member states are seeking to revive the two-state solution at a meeting next week, spurned on by France’s announcement that it will recognise Palestine as a state.

The meeting, convened by the UN General Assembly and co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, was initially due to be held in June, but was postponed by Israel’s war on Iran.

Ministerial-level meetings will take place at the UN in New York on Monday, in preparation for a summit expected to be held in September.

Macron’s announcement on Palestinian statehood this week has “changed the equation”, according to International Crisis Group analyst Richard Gowan, who told AFP that the move by Paris may cause other countries to consider following suit.

A list compiled by AFP indicates that at least 142 of the 193 UN member states now recognise Palestine.

Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour said this week that the conference “provides a unique opportunity to transform international law and international consensus into a realistic plan, and to demonstrate resolve to end the occupation and bring a final end to the conflict”.

However, Israel and the United States will not be participating in the conference.

Officials in Washington and Tel Aviv reacted to Macron’s announcement with scorn, while many other states and international bodies, including the African Union, welcomed the move.