UN conference ends with push for two-state solution, 'New York Declaration'
Held from July 28-30, the meeting brought together senior officials from nearly 130 countries and ended with the adoption of the 'New York Call' and 'New York Declaration' in support of the two-state solution.
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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Frustration drives 3 Israel allies towards recognising Palestine
When Spain, Ireland and Norway announced in May last year that they would recognise a Palestinian state, Israel's closer allies dismissed the move as unhelpful to solving the crisis in Gaza. While France, Britain and Canada stressed their support for establishing two states with recognised borders as the long-term solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, they were wary of being seen to reward Hamas, of damaging relations with Israel and Washington, and of squandering diplomatic capital. "I will not do an 'emo tional' re co gnition," French President Emmanuel Macron said at the time. But as Israeli restrictions on aid escalated Gaza's humanitarian crisis and a two-month truce ended in March, talks began in earnest that would lead three of the Group of Seven major Western economies to set out plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September. "The possibility of atwo-state solution is being eroded before our eyes... that has been one of the factors that has brought us to this point to try to reverse, with partners, this cycle," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday. France and Saudi Arabia formed a plan to have more Western countries move towards Palestinian recognition while Arab states would be pushed to take a stronger line against Hamas. The pair wanted their proposals to gain acceptance at a United Nations conference in June, but they struggled to gain traction, and the meeting was then postponed due to Israeli airstrikes on Iran and amid intense US diplomatic pressure. The strikes led to a pause in public criticism of Israel from Western allies, and Arab states were hard to win round, but discussions continued behind the scenes. Macron, Carney and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were communicating with each other regularly by phone and texts in June and July, according to a Canadian source with direct knowledge of the events. Canada was wary of acting alone and Britain wanted to ensure any move would have maximum impact, but Macron was more strident. Alarm was growing about images of starving children and fears were mounting that Israel's Gaza offensive, combined with settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, would further undermine any chance of creating a sovereign Palestinian state. On July 24, Macron made a surprise announcement that France would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. Macron spoke with Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz two days later to discuss a "sustainable route to a two-state solution", according to Starmer's spokesperson, just before the prime minister was due to meet Trump in Scotland. With Trump, Starmer pressed the case to do more to help Gaza, although, according to Trump, he never explicitly said a recognition plan was on the cards. However, Trump has since criticised such moves as "re ward i n g Hamas". With Trump still in Britain on Tuesday, opening a golf course, Starmer recalled his cabinet from their summer break to get approval for his recognition plan. Britain would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless there was a ceasefire and a lasting peace plan from Israel. Like Macron, Starmer gave Carney a few hours' warning. Once Britain and France had moved, Canada felt it had to follow suit, according to the Canadian source. "International cooperation is essential to securing lasting peace and stability in the Middle East and Canada will do its best to help lead that effort," Carney said on Wednesday, six days after Macron's announcement. More than three-quarters of the 193 members of the UN General Assembly already independently recognise a Palestinian state. But the opposition of the US, with its veto power on the UN Security Council, means the UN cannot admit Palestine as a full member — a move that would effectively recognise a Palestinian state at global level. However, Richard Gowan, who is UN director at the International Crisis Group, said the declarations mattered "precisely because we are seeing some big US allies catching up with the bulk of the Global South on the Palestinian question at the UN". "That makes it a little harder for Israel to write off the pro-recognition camp as irrelevant." The writers are from Reuters
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Iran demands US accountability for nuclear site attacks in future talks
TEHRAN: Iran stated on Monday that holding the United States accountable for attacks on its nuclear sites would be a key condition in any future negotiations, while rejecting the possibility of direct talks with Washington. The US joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear facilities in June, disrupting ongoing discussions about Tehran's atomic program. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei emphasised that demanding compensation for the military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities would be a non-negotiable topic in potential talks. When asked about direct negotiations with the US, Baqaei responded firmly, 'No.' The conflict began in mid-June when Israel launched unprecedented strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, including residential areas, over 12 days. US forces later targeted nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. These attacks derailed high-level talks that had resumed in April, marking the first significant engagement between Iran and the US since Washington abandoned the 2015 nuclear deal. Following the strikes, Iran suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and demanded security guarantees before resuming negotiations. The US dismissed Tehran's compensation demands as 'ridiculous.' Baqaei reiterated Iran's commitment to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty but criticised the IAEA for its 'politicised and unprofessional approach.' He confirmed that an IAEA deputy chief would visit Iran within 10 days but stressed that the delegation would only engage in technical discussions, with no access to nuclear sites. Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran's parliamentary national security commission, reinforced this stance, stating that no foreign inspections would be permitted. Meanwhile, Iran has signalled a 'new form' of cooperation with the IAEA, following a recent meeting with European diplomats from Germany, Britain, and France—parties to the 2015 nuclear deal. The European trio has threatened sanctions if Iran fails to comply with uranium enrichment limits and UN inspections. Tehran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and rejects sanctions as illegal. - AFP
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
UN Security Council to hold emergency session on Gaza hostages
UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council will convene an emergency session this week to address the worsening hostage crisis in Gaza, Israel's ambassador confirmed Sunday. The announcement follows global outcry over newly released videos showing emaciated captives held by Hamas, alongside warnings of famine in the besieged enclave. Danny Danon, Israel's envoy to the UN, stated the Council 'will convene this coming Tuesday for a special emergency session on the dire situation of the hostages in Gaza.' The footage highlights catastrophic humanitarian conditions, with UN experts declaring a 'famine is unfolding' due to severe aid restrictions. Israel maintains tight control over aid entry into Gaza, though UN agencies report chaotic distribution and looting. Desperate Palestinians often risk their lives to access limited supplies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently appealed to the Red Cross for help delivering food to hostages. Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, responded by offering conditional Red Cross access, demanding 'humanitarian corridors' be opened across Gaza. The group denied intentionally starving hostages but stated they would receive no special treatment 'amid the crime of starvation and siege.' Three recent videos released by Hamas and Islamic Jihad feature two October 7 attack hostages—Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David—appearing frail and malnourished. The images have intensified pressure in Israel for a truce and hostage deal. – AFP
