On July 28 ministers from more than forty countries met at United Nations Headquarters in New York to discuss a two state solution for Israel and the Palestinians. The meeting was co hosted by France and Saudi Arabia after being postponed from June following an Israeli strike on Iran. The United States and Israel chose not to attend, citing concerns that the forum skips over key security and hostage issues.
The conference aims to set out a clear plan for Palestinian statehood while also addressing Israel security needs. French foreign minister Jean Noel Barrot urged all participants to condemn Hamas violence and to back formal recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state alongside Israel.
French president Emmanuel Macron announced that France will formally recognize the state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September. That step would position France among the first major Western nations to extend full diplomatic recognition to Palestine.
Although dozens of foreign ministers are present the absence of the United States and Israel casts doubt on major breakthroughs. US officials called the meeting counterproductive and Israel insisted that any peace process must include the unconditional return of hostages held by Hamas and a full renunciation of terrorism.
These discussions take place amid a twenty two month conflict in Gaza that began with Hamas attacks in October 2023. Nearly sixty thousand Palestinians and more than a thousand Israelis have died and civilian hardship has deepened humanitarian crises across the region.
United Nations diplomats and regional mediators hope these talks will inject momentum into a stalled peace process. Observers say that combining state recognition with strong security guarantees and third party monitoring could build trust and pave the way for direct negotiations.
The ultimate success of this conference will depend on whether participating nations move beyond statements in New York to concrete actions on the ground. Expanding diplomatic recognition, creating robust security frameworks, and ensuring humanitarian access will be key measures of progress.
As international pressure grows for a lasting solution clear commitments and sustained cooperation will be essential to break the cycle of violence and help both peoples achieve peace and security.