Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a powerful show of diplomatic consensus, the international community concluded the high-level “New York UN Conference for Peace in the Middle East” with a firm warning to Israel against any attempt to annex Palestinian territory, declaring such actions a “red line” with serious consequences for future peace agreements.
The conference, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France at the United Nations Headquarters, brought together a broad coalition of member states and international organizations. The event culminated in the formal adoption of the New York Declaration, a sweeping political blueprint aimed at salvaging the two-state solution and ending the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
With the support of 142 UN member states, the declaration reaffirmed the international community’s “unwavering commitment to a two-state solution” and laid out a roadmap for a viable, peaceful future for both Palestinians and Israelis.
“This is a decisive moment for peace and stability in the Middle East,” read the joint statement by Saudi Arabia and France, the conference’s co-chairs. “The New York Declaration offers a realistic and irreversible alternative to the endless cycle of war and violence.”
Strong Warning to Israel: “Annexation Is a Red Line”
In one of the most pointed sections of the final communiqué, the conference warned Israel that any future annexation of Palestinian land including plans such as the controversial “E1” project east of Jerusalem—would constitute a breach of international law and threaten the viability of future peace agreements.
“Any attempt at annexation is a red line,” the statement declared, “and will expose Israel to severe consequences and undermine its standing in any future regional peace framework.”
The declaration urged the Israeli government to publicly renounce any plans for annexation, end settlement expansion, and cease acts of land confiscation and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
Global Recognition of Palestine Gains Momentum
In a notable shift, the conference welcomed a wave of new recognitions of the State of Palestine. Countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and France were applauded for taking steps to recognize Palestinian statehood.
The statement called on other nations to join this diplomatic momentum, emphasizing that recognition is not only a legal and moral responsibility but a critical step toward breaking the current deadlock.
Gaza Ceasefire, Hostage Release, and International Stabilization Mission
The New York Declaration listed an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with the unconditional release of all hostages, as urgent priorities. It called for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid.
The conference also backed the deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission in Gaza, to be authorized by the UN Security Council and coordinated with the Palestinian Authority. This mission would include international police and security advisers to help rebuild civil order and infrastructure in the war-torn enclave.
Unified Palestinian Governance and End of Hamas Control
Reaffirming support for a unified Palestinian political and security structure, the declaration endorsed the policy of “One State, One Government, One Law, and One Weapon.” It backed efforts to dismantle Hamas’s military presence in Gaza and return full civil and security authority to the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.
The conference welcomed reform commitments made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, including:
- A pledge to hold general and presidential elections within one year of a ceasefire
- A public renunciation of violence and militarization of the future Palestinian state
- A commitment to curriculum reform under EU supervision
- The cancellation of prisoner stipends
- An openness to mutual security arrangements with Israel
Economic Recovery and Financial Accountability
The final communiqué highlighted urgent steps to support the Palestinian Authority’s fiscal sustainability. It called for:
- The creation of an emergency donor coalition to support the PA budget
- Israel to release withheld clearance revenues
- A revision of the Paris Protocol to establish a new, transparent financial transfer mechanism
These efforts aim to stabilize Palestinian institutions and prevent financial collapse in the West Bank and Gaza.
Legal Accountability and Regional Integration
The conference endorsed international accountability mechanisms for violations of international law. It welcomed recent legal measures taken by member states in response to unilateral Israeli actions, pending meaningful changes on the ground.
Ending the Israeli occupation and achieving a just and lasting peace, based on UN resolutions was described as the only path to full regional integration, as outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative.
In addition, the statement expressed support for the resumption of Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese peace tracks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive regional reconciliation.
A Call for Global Unity
The conference concluded with a call to action: a plea for all nations to join the growing international coalition working toward lasting peace, regional integration, and mutual recognition.
“This is not just about resolving a conflict,” the statement read. “It is about restoring faith in diplomacy, international law, and the possibility of peaceful coexistence.”
