UN Hosts Delayed Conference on Israel-Palestine Two-State Solution

The United Nations will host a long-awaited conference on Monday aimed at advancing a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Although the event has seen delays, it will bring together dozens of ministers to discuss the future of Palestinian statehood and Israel’s security. However, key players like the United States and Israel have decided to boycott the conference, casting a shadow over the event.

The UN General Assembly had originally announced the conference in September last year, scheduling it for 2025. However, following rising tensions, particularly Israel’s attack on Iran in June, the event was postponed. France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting the conference, which seeks to chart a path forward for a Palestinian state, with particular emphasis on securing Israel’s borders.

This high-level event comes at a critical time, as the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for more than 22 months, further complicating efforts for peace. The UN’s long-standing vision of two states—Israel and Palestine—living side by side, each within secure and recognized borders, continues to shape the discourse.

Palestinian leaders are advocating for a state within the borders of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. These territories were captured by Israel during the 1967 war, and their future remains one of the most contentious issues in the region.

Despite the absence of Israel and the US, the international community remains hopeful that the conference will provide the necessary momentum for a renewed peace process and a framework that can be embraced by both sides.