The annual U.N. General Assembly gathering in New York is currently focused on a high-stakes conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, bringing Palestinian statehood to the forefront of international diplomacy. On Monday, approximately ten additional countries are anticipated to formally recognize Palestine as a sovereign nation, joining 147 of the 193 existing U.N. member states that already do so. Among these nations are France, Belgium, Australia, Britain, Canada, and Portugal, who confirmed their recognition on Sunday.
This deeply symbolic move aims to breathe new life into the long-sought two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The prospect of peace appears more distant than ever as the war in Gaza approaches its second year, Israeli settlements continue to rapidly expand in the West Bank, and the humanitarian crisis in the enclave intensifies. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the urgency last week, stating, “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 challenged global leaders by asking, “What is the alternative?”
While this wave of recognition is unlikely to immediately alter the reality on the ground or elevate Palestine to full U.N. membership (a change that would require Security Council approval and would likely face a U.S. veto), it carries significant diplomatic weight. Diplomats from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia suggest that the conference will showcase a broad international alignment on the issue, highlighting the isolation of the United States as several key Western allies diverge from Washington’s long-standing policy. Richard Gowan, U.N. director for the International Crisis Group, observed that the 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 at this time would embolden Hamas, especially as Israel remains at war with the militant group in Gaza and not all hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, attacks have been released. Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, criticized the initiative as “one-sided” and likened it to “theater.”
Prior to the conference, the General Assembly ratified the “New York Declaration” with an overwhelming majority of 142 votes in favor. This document, proposed by France and Saudi Arabia, advocates for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside the existing Israeli one. The declaration outlines “tangible, time-bound and irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution. It also condemns the 2023 Hamas-led attacks that initiated the Gaza war, as well as Israel’s assaults on civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Palestinian enclave, and the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.
**Here’s what else to know about the conference:**
- Key Speakers: The conference, held at the U.N. General Assembly hall, is expected to last approximately three hours. Speakers will include U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, representatives from several other nations, and a virtual address from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- Palestinian Presence: Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority (which administers parts of the West Bank), will address the conference virtually from Ramallah. He and his delegation were unable to attend in person due to the United States declining to grant them visas.
- A New Approach to Peace: Many diplomats have noted the failure of decades-long peace efforts that deferred the establishment of a Palestinian state to the final stages of comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. This conference aims to invert that approach, beginning with the recognition of a Palestinian state as a foundation for achieving peace.
- Protests: Leading up to the U.N.’s discussions on Palestinian statehood, emotions ran high globally. Tens of thousands of Italians took to the streets in cities like Milan and Rome to protest in solidarity with Palestinians, participating in a one-day general strike called by trade unions. In France, more than 50 town halls defied a government warning and proudly displayed Palestinian flags on Monday, just hours before President Emmanuel Macron was expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
French Town Halls Defy Government, Fly Palestinian Flag
In a striking act of defiance, more than 50 town halls across France hoisted the Palestinian flag on Monday. This occurred just hours before President Emmanuel Macron was expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations. According to the French Interior Ministry, this symbolic but relatively small gesture involved 86 of France’s nearly 35,000 municipalities.
The initiative faced opposition from the interior minister, who argued it violated neutrality rules governing public services and risked causing public disturbances. However, left-leaning mayors in major cities such as Rennes, Nantes, and Lyon, as well as several suburbs of Paris, proceeded regardless. Olivier Faure, the head of the Socialist Party, speaking before the Saint-Denis town hall (where the Palestinian flag flew alongside French and European Union flags), declared, “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.” He added that while hoisting a flag in front of a town hall might not alter the region’s destiny, it was “a way to tell the world that France, and not just the president of the republic, support this move,” referring to the recognition of a Palestinian state.
President Macron’s decision has been a source of division in France, a country with Western Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities. While many on the left have praised it as a necessary and overdue step towards peace, right-wing politicians and some within France’s Jewish community oppose it. They argue that such a move could embolden Hamas and that Palestinian statehood should only be realized through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. France’s Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, had even instructed state prefects to refer any decisions by mayors to fly the Palestinian flag to French courts, stating last week, “The front of a town hall is not a billboard.” Interestingly, some cities, like Saint-Ouen, a suburb north of Paris, chose to fly both Israeli and Palestinian flags. On Sunday evening, both Palestinian and Israeli flags, accompanied by an image of a dove carrying an olive branch, were projected onto the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
What Does ‘Statehood’ Truly Mean?
The concept of Palestinian statehood presents a complex question, particularly given the undefined borders of such a state and a population unable to agree on unified leadership. The foundational criteria for statehood were established by an international treaty in 1933, comprising four essential elements: a permanent population, defined territorial boundaries, a government, and the capacity to engage in international affairs. Recognition serves as an official acknowledgment that a prospective state generally fulfills these conditions, even if certain aspects, such as 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 experts in international law assert that Palestine fundamentally meets these criteria. A permanent population and land base undeniably exist. While disputed, the borders are broadly understood to encompass Israeli-occupied territories, including the West Bank and Gaza (seized in 1967 during a war with Arab states), as well as East Jerusalem (effectively annexed by Israel). The Palestinian Authority functions as a governing body administering parts of the West Bank and, through the Palestine Liberation Organization, represents Palestinians on the international stage. Despite the limitations imposed by Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Hamas’s control in Gaza, foreign recognition of a Palestinian state would facilitate direct diplomatic contact between the Authority and the recognizing nation. Beyond its legal implications, such recognition carries substantial diplomatic and political messages, affirming the Palestinian right to self-determination and challenging the actions and positions of the Israeli government that undermine this right, as Ms. Miller highlighted.
Key Events at the U.N. General Assembly This Week
This week marks the high-level portion of the 80th U.N. General Assembly, where world leaders gather to tackle the planet’s most pressing issues. This year’s assembly convenes at a challenging time for the organization, with conflicts raging globally and internal budget constraints. Nevertheless, it remains a significant global stage, drawing over 140 heads of state, senior officials, and delegations to New York. The main event, the General Debate, commences on Tuesday, featuring representatives from each member state speaking on a variety of global concerns. Beyond this central debate, several other key events are scheduled:
- Monday: A pivotal conference, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, will bring Palestinian statehood into sharp focus. Australia, Britain, Canada, and Portugal have already formally recognized Palestinian statehood, with France also announcing its intention to do so. Additionally, the Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting regarding a recent incursion by Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace.
- Tuesday: The Security Council is scheduled to hold a meeting on the war in Gaza and the broader security situation in the Middle East (at 1 p.m. Eastern), followed by another session on Ukraine (at 4 p.m. Eastern).
- Wednesday: Leaders will convene for a climate summit, where they are expected to present commitments and discuss solutions for addressing climate change.
- Thursday: Discussions will shift to the critical topic of artificial intelligence.
The high-level gathering also provides numerous opportunities for world leaders to hold one-on-one meetings. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed interest in meeting with President Trump. The Russian foreign minister may also hold talks with his U.S. counterpart, despite recent diplomatic efforts failing to de-escalate the war in Ukraine.
Here is a day-by-day overview of some of the anticipated speakers:
Tuesday, Sept. 23
In a long-standing tradition, Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, will deliver the opening remarks from member states. His address follows the recent sentencing of former president Jair Bolsonaro to over 27 years in prison for his role in a failed coup attempt after the 2022 election. President Lula has asserted that he will not yield to U.S. pressure, despite calls from President Trump to drop the charges.
President Trump is scheduled to speak next on behalf of the United States, following the convention for the host country to speak second. The specifics of his address are unknown, but he may touch upon the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine (two wars he has pledged, unsuccessfully, to end), an intensifying immigration crackdown at home, and a wave of tariffs designed to protect American industries that have raised concerns among global trading partners.
The General Assembly also expects to hear from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as leaders from Jordan, Qatar, and Egypt. An Israeli airstrike in Qatar that targeted Hamas officials recently provoked outrage from some Arab leaders. France’s President Emmanuel Macron, who is spearheading a diplomatic initiative for the recognition of Palestinian statehood in an effort to salvage a two-state solution with Israel, will also address the chamber. In the afternoon, President Karol Nawrocki of Poland is slated to speak, with his country raising alarms over a recent incursion by Russian drones. Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, will also deliver remarks, as her nation faces pressure from President Trump concerning trade and efforts to combat drug cartels.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is scheduled to speak, and his address will almost certainly focus on Russia’s invasion of his country. While Zelensky expressed cautious optimism after meeting with Trump in August, the prospect of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin remains elusive, and Moscow has intensified its drone attacks. Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, will attend, with his remarks following a June war with Israel that inflicted a significant blow to his country’s military chain of command. Wednesday is also set to mark the U.N. debut of Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Shara, whose rebel alliance successfully ousted Bashar al-Assad in December.
Thursday, Sept. 25
The Trump administration denied visas to Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, and his delegation. However, the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to allow Palestinian representatives to participate virtually, which will include a prerecorded statement from Abbas. Meanwhile, Israel’s ground operation in Gaza City has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the enclave, leading to widespread hunger. Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris is also expected to speak on Thursday, as his country continues to be engulfed in a civil war that has lasted for two years.
Friday, Sept. 26
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is scheduled to initiate the day’s speeches on Friday morning. Netanyahu faces a growing rift with his country’s military leadership over his war strategy in Gaza. 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. The once-close ties between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump have reportedly frayed in recent months.
A representative from Nepal may also deliver comments. The country recently experienced days of violent protests that led to the overthrow of its government, with Sushila Karki, its first female chief justice, now serving as interim prime minister. The previous prime minister had planned to attend, but it is currently unclear who will represent Nepal.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada is expected to speak on Saturday. Carney has met with Mexico’s President Sheinbaum to develop an “action plan” for addressing President Trump’s tariffs. Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, is also anticipated to deliver remarks in the first half of the day. The Kremlin has consistently insisted on obtaining its own “security guarantees” before laying down arms in Ukraine.
Venezuela’s foreign minister, Yvan Gil, is expected to address the Assembly on Saturday. His speech comes amid a significant buildup of U.S. naval forces outside Venezuela’s waters. Washington has intensified its rhetoric regarding the fight against drug cartels, conducted deadly strikes on vessels carrying alleged drug smugglers, and labeled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro a terrorist-cartel leader. Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of attempting to overthrow his government.
Monday, Sept. 29
The week will conclude with remarks from representatives of Afghanistan, four years after the Taliban’s return to power, and South Sudan. The specific individuals who will represent these countries are not yet clear.