Egypt Daily News – The United States and Israel have both announced they will boycott an upcoming United Nations conference on Palestine, denouncing it as politically biased and counterproductive to peace efforts. The decision comes amid growing international efforts to revive the two-state solution and recognize Palestinian statehood, efforts which Washington and Tel Aviv claim could embolden Hamas and further complicate the situation in Gaza.
The U.S. State Department labeled the conference “a gift to Hamas,” arguing that the group has consistently rejected ceasefire proposals in the Gaza conflict. A State Department spokesperson emphasized that the U.S. voted against convening the conference and “will not support any measures that undermine prospects for a peaceful resolution.”
Israel echoed that stance. A spokesperson for the Israeli mission to the United Nations confirmed that Israel would not participate in the event, criticizing it for failing to condemn Hamas or address the issue of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
Conference Goals and International Support
The conference, originally scheduled for June 2025 and backed by both France and Saudi Arabia, was approved by the U.N. General Assembly last September with the aim of re-energizing the stalled two-state solution. Its primary objective is to foster international momentum toward the recognition of an independent Palestinian state and to promote renewed diplomatic engagement between Israel and the Palestinians.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot recently underscored France’s commitment to the initiative, stating in an interview with La Tribune Dimanche that Paris intends to play an active role in mobilizing other countries to formally recognize Palestinian statehood. He indicated that a major diplomatic push is planned ahead of the U.N. General Assembly’s annual high-level week in September 2025.
“In New York, we will call on other countries to join us in launching a more ambitious and challenging dynamic, one that will culminate on September 21,” Barrot said, referring to the date when world leaders will gather at the U.N. headquarters.
U.S. Pressure and Diplomatic Fallout
Behind the scenes, Washington has reportedly been lobbying against the conference. Multiple diplomatic sources told international media outlets that the Biden administration has sent warnings to several allied nations, discouraging them from attending the event and cautioning against “anti-Israel steps” that could result in diplomatic repercussions.
The U.S. position appears to be part of a broader effort to contain growing European momentum toward unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. France, Ireland, Spain, and several other countries have either recognized Palestine or signaled their intent to do so in response to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the perceived failure of the current diplomatic process.
Tensions Between France and Israel Escalate
France’s leading role in the U.N. conference has further strained its relationship with Israel. The French chargé d’affaires in Tel Aviv was summoned by the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Sunday, according to a report by the Hebrew-language daily Maariv. The diplomatic rebuke followed Paris’s announcement of its intent to recognize Palestinian statehood, a move that Israel sees as undermining its security interests and legitimizing Hamas.
This deterioration in Franco-Israeli relations highlights the growing international divide over how to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially in the wake of the war in Gaza, which has drawn widespread condemnation over civilian casualties and humanitarian suffering.
A Polarized Global Landscape
As the death toll in Gaza continues to climb and ceasefire efforts remain stalled, the international community is increasingly split. On one side, countries like the U.S. and Israel insist on prioritizing the dismantling of Hamas and resisting what they view as premature recognition of a Palestinian state. On the other, a growing number of nations are pushing for diplomatic recognition and political solutions as a pathway out of the crisis.
The upcoming U.N. conference despite the U.S. and Israeli boycott, may emerge as a flashpoint in this global debate. For supporters, it represents a long-overdue shift toward accountability and a rights-based approach to resolving the conflict. For its critics, it is a dangerous distraction that could complicate security dynamics and entrench divisions even further.
