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Martha McHardy

By Martha McHardy

US News Reporter

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The United States was among 10 states that voted against a non-binding resolution for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Friday at the U.N. General Assembly.

A resolution endorsing the declaration received 142 votes in favor and 10 against, while 12 countries abstained.

Why It Matters

The U.S. vote against the U.N.'s two-state solution resolution highlights Washington's continued alignment with Israel at a moment of heightened global scrutiny over the conflict. While the resolution is non-binding, the overwhelming international support underscores the growing isolation of the U.S. and a handful of allies on this issue.

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What To Know

Ten states voted against the resolution endorsing the "New York Declaration," which sets out a phased plan to end the nearly 80-year conflict.

They include:

Twelve countries abstained from the vote. They include:

The resolution, sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, followed a high-level July conference on a two-state solution that the United States and Israel boycotted. It condemns "the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians" in Israel on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 hostage. Of those, 48 remain captive, with about 20 believed to be alive.

The declaration also condemns Israel's strikes on Gaza civilians and infrastructure, denouncing its "siege and starvation, which have produced a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis." According to The Associated Press, citing Gaza's Health Ministry, Israel's offensive has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians, without distinguishing between civilians and fighters.

It calls for the Palestinian Authority to govern all Palestinian territory, with a transitional committee formed after a ceasefire. "In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority," it states. The declaration also backs a "temporary international stabilization mission" under U.N. auspices to protect civilians, monitor a ceasefire, and guarantee security for both sides.

The text urges global recognition of Palestine, calling this "an essential and indispensable component of the achievement of the two-state solution." Without naming Israel, it warns that "illegal unilateral actions are posing an existential threat to the realization of the independent state of Palestine."

All Gulf Arab states supported the resolution. Israel dismissed it as one-sided "theater," with Netanyahu declaring shortly before the vote that "there will be no Palestinian state." The U.S. likewise branded it a "misguided and ill-timed publicity stunt."

By contrast, Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour said the outcome reflected "the yearning of almost everyone...to open the door for the option of peace," urging those choosing "war and destruction" to heed the Assembly's call.

The United States has historically supported the two-state solution as the best path to a lasting peace, backing negotiations such as the 1993 Oslo Accords and the 2000 Camp David Summit. However, Washington has generally opposed unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, arguing it should come through direct negotiations with Israel.

The U.S. recognizes the Palestinian Authority as the representative body of the Palestinian people. Over 140 countries have recognized Palestine.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, speaking in August, said a Palestinian state is "not a priority for the Trump administration."

What People Are Saying

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, said the support for the resolution reflects "the yearning of almost everyone, the international community, to open the door for the option of peace."

Without naming Israel, he said, "We invite a party that is still pushing the option of war and destruction, and attempts to eliminate the Palestinian people and steal their land, to listen to the sound of reason — to the sound of the logic of dealing with this issue peacefully, and for the overwhelming message that has resonated in this General Assembly today."

Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon dismissed the resolution as "theater," saying the only beneficiary is Hamas.

"This one-sided declaration will not be remembered as a step toward peace, only as another hollow gesture that weakens this assembly's credibility," he said.

U.S. Mission counselor Morgan Ortagus said the resolution "is yet another misguided and ill-timed publicity stunt that undermines serious diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Make no mistake, this resolution is a gift to Hamas."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on X: "For the first time today, the United Nations adopted a text condemning [Hamas] for its crimes and calling for its surrender and disarmament."

What Happens Next

World leaders are to meet starting September 22 at the General Assembly, where Britain, France, Canada, Australia and Belgium are expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state.

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