Palestinian statehood is currently the focal point at the United Nations, where a significant conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia is underway. This gathering coincides with the annual U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York, drawing world leaders to crucial discussions.
Approximately 10 nations are either formally recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state today or are expected to do so, including France and Belgium. These countries will join the 147 of 193 U.N. member states that already acknowledge Palestine’s statehood. Notably, Australia, Britain, Canada, and Portugal confirmed their formal recognition of Palestinian statehood just yesterday.
This highly symbolic action aims to revitalize efforts toward a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Such a solution appears increasingly remote as the Gaza war approaches its second year, Israel rapidly expands its settlements in the West Bank, and the humanitarian crisis in the enclave worsens.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgency last week, stating, “I think we absolutely must do everything and mobilize as much as we can the international community to make sure that the two-state solution prevails.” He questioned the alternatives available.
In practical terms, recognizing a Palestinian state may not immediately alter the situation on the ground. At the United Nations, this move will not upgrade Palestine from its current observer state status to full membership, which would require approval from the U.N. Security Council and is likely to be vetoed by the United States.
However, diplomats from across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia highlight that this conference demonstrates broad international consensus and underscores the United States’ isolation on the matter, as several of its key Western allies are diverging from Washington’s policy.
Richard Gowan, U.N. director for the International Crisis Group, noted that this initiative “does underline that there is still some potential pathway to a diplomatic solution for the Palestinians, even if everyone recognizes that it is an extremely long pathway,”.
Both the United States and Israel oppose the conference. They argue that recognizing a Palestinian state would empower Hamas at a time when Israel is still engaged in conflict with the militant group in Gaza and not all hostages from the October 7, 2023, attacks have been released.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, dismissed the initiative as “one-sided,” labeling it “not diplomacy. It is theater.”
Prior to the conference, the General Assembly overwhelmingly ratified the “New York Declaration” with 142 votes in favor. This document, proposed by France and Saudi Arabia, advocates for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside an existing Israeli one.
The declaration outlines “tangible, time-bound and irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution. It also condemns the Hamas-led attacks in 2023 that initiated the Gaza war, as well as Israel’s attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Palestinian enclave, and the ensuing humanitarian crisis.
Additional Conference Details:
- Key speakers: The conference, held in the U.N. General Assembly hall, is expected to last approximately three hours. U.N. Secretary-General Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to speak, alongside representatives from several other nations. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia will deliver a virtual address.
- Palestinian presence: Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority (which governs parts of the West Bank), will address the conference virtually from Ramallah. He and his delegation were denied visas by the United States, preventing their in-person attendance.
- A new approach to peace: Many diplomats acknowledge that the long-standing approach to peace, which deferred Palestinian statehood recognition to the final stages of a comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian deal, has failed. This conference aims to reverse that strategy, beginning with the recognition of a Palestinian state as a foundation for achieving peace.
- Protests: Anticipation of Palestinian statehood discussions at the U.N. stirred strong emotions globally. On Monday, tens of thousands of Italians protested in solidarity with Palestinians in various cities, including Milan and Rome, during a one-day general strike organized by trade unions. And in France, over 50 town halls defied a government directive by raising Palestinian flags, just hours before President Emmanuel Macron was expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
French Town Halls Defy Government, Fly Palestinian Flags
More than 50 municipal buildings across France raised the Palestinian flag on Monday, directly defying government warnings. This symbolic act occurred hours before President Emmanuel Macron’s anticipated formal recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations.
The French Interior Ministry reported that 86 of France’s nearly 35,000 municipalities participated in this gesture by Monday evening. The interior minister had opposed the move, citing breaches of neutrality rules for public services and the potential for public unrest.
However, left-leaning mayors in major cities such as Rennes, Nantes, and Lyon, as well as various smaller towns and Paris suburbs, proceeded with the flag-raising.
Olivier Faure, head of the Socialist Party, stated before the Saint-Denis town hall (a Paris suburb that also hoisted the French and European Union flags), “This flag is not the flag of Hamas; it is the flag of men and women who also have the right to freedom and self-determination.”
Mr. Faure added that while “Hoisting a flag in front of a town hall won’t change the region’s fate,” it serves as a powerful message to the world that France, beyond its president, supports the recognition of a Palestinian state.
President Macron’s decision on Palestinian recognition has sparked division in France, a country with significant Jewish and Muslim populations. Many on the left view it as a crucial and overdue step toward peace. In contrast, right-wing politicians and some within France’s Jewish community oppose it, arguing it could embolden Hamas and that statehood should only follow direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau had instructed state prefects to refer any mayors flying the Palestinian flag to French courts, asserting last week, “The front of a town hall is not a billboard.”
Some municipalities, like Saint-Ouen (another Paris suburb), chose to display both the Israeli and Palestinian flags. On Sunday evening in Paris, images of the Palestinian and Israeli flags, along with a dove carrying an olive branch, were projected onto the Eiffel Tower.
What Does it Truly Mean to Be a State?
The concept of Palestinian statehood raises fundamental questions, particularly given undefined borders and a populace divided on leadership. The international criteria for statehood were established in a 1933 treaty.
These criteria comprise four essential elements: a permanent population, defined territorial boundaries, a government, and the capacity to engage in international relations. Recognition signifies an official acknowledgment that a prospective state generally fulfills these conditions, even if certain aspects, like territorial boundaries, remain in dispute.
Zinaida Miller, a professor of law and international affairs at Northeastern University, emphasizes that, like all legal matters, “interpretation matters.” Many international law experts agree that Palestine fundamentally meets the basic criteria for statehood.
A permanent population and a land area clearly exist. While borders are contested, they are generally understood to encompass Israeli-occupied territories, including the West Bank and Gaza (seized in the 1967 war with Arab states), along with East Jerusalem, which Israel has effectively annexed.
The Palestinian Authority functions as a governing body that administers parts of the West Bank and represents Palestinians. Its establishment was authorized by the Palestine Liberation Organization, the international representative body for Palestinians.
Despite limitations on the Palestinian Authority’s actions due to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Hamas’s control of Gaza, international recognition of a Palestinian state would enable direct diplomatic engagement between the Authority and recognizing nations.
Beyond practical diplomacy, such recognition would convey powerful diplomatic and political messages. It would affirm the Palestinian right to self-determination and challenge Israeli government policies and actions that undermine this right, as highlighted by Ms. Miller.
Highlights and What to Watch for at the U.N. General Assembly
This week marks the beginning of the high-level segment of the U.N. General Assembly, where global leaders converge to address the world’s most pressing issues. This 80th annual gathering occurs at a challenging time for the organization, amidst ongoing global conflicts and internal budgetary constraints. Nevertheless, it remains a crucial international platform, attracting over 140 world leaders, senior officials, and delegations to New York.
The primary event is the General Debate, commencing on Tuesday, where representatives from each member state will articulate their positions on various global matters.
Beyond the main debate, several other significant events are slated:
- On Monday, Palestinian statehood is set to be a central topic at a conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. Australia, Britain, Canada, and Portugal announced their formal recognition of Palestinian statehood on Sunday, with France also expressing its intent to do so. Additionally, the Security Council is expected to convene an emergency meeting regarding a recent incursion by Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace.
- On Tuesday, the Security Council is scheduled to hold meetings on the war in Gaza and the broader security situation in the Middle East (1 p.m. Eastern), followed by a session on Ukraine (4 p.m. Eastern).
- On Wednesday, leaders are anticipated to gather for a climate summit, where they will present new commitments to combat climate change and discuss innovative solutions.
- On Thursday, discussions among leaders will focus on artificial intelligence.
This high-level assembly also provides opportunities for bilateral meetings among world leaders. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed a desire to meet with President Trump. The Russian foreign minister may also engage with his U.S. counterpart, following recent diplomatic efforts that have done little to de-escalate the war in Ukraine.
Day-by-day speaker breakdown:
Tuesday, Sept. 23
Adhering to a long-standing tradition, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will deliver the opening remarks from member states. This month, Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former president, was sentenced to over 27 years in prison for a failed coup attempt following his 2022 election loss. While Mr. Trump had urged Brazil to dismiss the charges, Mr. Lula has pledged not to yield to U.S. pressure.
President Trump will speak next on behalf of the United States, maintaining the convention of the host country speaking second. The specifics of his address are unknown, but he may touch upon the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine (conflicts he has vowed to end without success so far), an intensifying immigration crackdown at home, and new tariffs aimed at protecting American industries, which have caused concern among global trading partners.
The General Assembly also expects to hear from the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, along with leaders from Jordan, Qatar, and Egypt. An Israeli airstrike in Qatar this month, targeting Hamas officials, provoked outrage among some Arab leaders.
The chamber will also host French President Emmanuel Macron, who is spearheading a diplomatic initiative for the recognition of Palestinian statehood, hoping to preserve a two-state solution with Israel.
President Karol Nawrocki of Poland, whose nation has recently raised alarms about Russian drone incursions, is scheduled to speak in the afternoon.
Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, will also address the assembly. Mexico faces pressure from Mr. Trump regarding U.S. trade interests and efforts to combat drug cartels.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is slated to speak, almost certainly addressing Russia’s invasion of his country. Mr. Zelensky showed cautious optimism after meeting with Mr. Trump in August. However, a meeting with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin remains elusive, and Moscow has intensified its drone attacks.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian is confirmed to attend, as announced by his political adviser on social media. His address follows a war with Israel in June that significantly impacted Iran’s military command structure.
Wednesday will also mark the U.N. debut of Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Shara, whose rebel alliance successfully ousted strongman Bashar al-Assad in December.
Thursday, Sept. 25
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, and his delegation were denied visas by the Trump administration. Despite this, the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to allow Palestinian representatives to participate virtually, including a prerecorded statement from Mr. Abbas. Israel’s ground operation in Gaza City has exacerbated a severe humanitarian crisis in the enclave, where widespread hunger is prevalent.
Prime Minister Kamil Idris of Sudan is also expected to speak on Thursday, according to Sudanese news media. His country has been engulfed in civil war for two years.
Friday, Sept. 26
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel will initiate the speeches on Friday morning. Mr. Netanyahu is currently facing internal division with his country’s military leadership over his Gaza war strategy. The conflict has also deepened his international isolation and intensified domestic political opposition.
He will be followed by Premier Li Qiang of China, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain, and India’s Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s previously close relationship with Mr. Trump has strained in recent months.
A representative from Nepal may also speak. The country experienced violent protests this month that led to the toppling of its government. Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female chief justice and now interim prime minister, has taken on the leadership role. While the previous prime minister was expected to attend, it remains unclear who will represent Nepal now.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada is slated to speak on Saturday. Mr. Carney has met with Ms. Sheinbaum to formulate an “action plan” to address Mr. Trump’s tariffs. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov is also expected to deliver remarks in the first half of the day. The Kremlin has consistently demanded “security guarantees” before considering a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, is anticipated to address the Assembly on Saturday, amid a substantial buildup of U.S. naval forces near Venezuela’s waters. Washington has adopted a more aggressive stance against drug cartels, conducting lethal strikes on vessels suspected of drug smuggling and labeling Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro a “terrorist-cartel leader.” Mr. Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of orchestrating his overthrow.
Monday, Sept. 29
The week’s proceedings will conclude with remarks from representatives of Afghanistan, where the Taliban regained power four years ago, and South Sudan. It is currently uncertain who will represent these nations.