Saudi Arabia and France Push for U.N. Support on Two-State Solution

In a significant diplomatic push, Saudi Arabia and France have called upon countries within the United Nations to endorse a seven-page declaration that outlines specific, time-bound steps aimed at achieving a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. This declaration emerged from an international conference at the UN this week, hosted jointly by Saudi Arabia and France.

Notably absent from the conference were the United States and Israel. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud urged support for this document before the 79th General Assembly session ends, emphasizing urgent measures like ceasing the 22-month conflict in Gaza and forming a transitional administrative committee under the Palestinian Authority.

The declaration also proposes deploying a U.N. Security Council-mandated international stabilization mission and calls on Israel to commit to a two-state solution. It stresses halting settlement activities in occupied territories and addresses integration and Palestinian statehood as key objectives for lasting peace and coexistence in the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)