NextFin news, France and Saudi Arabia on Monday, September 22, 2025, advocated for a revived two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. They proposed a phased plan aimed at establishing a demilitarized Palestinian state governed by the Palestinian Authority with international support.
The initiative comes amid escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and ongoing humanitarian crises. France and Saudi Arabia hope to inject new urgency into peace efforts, leveraging the global spotlight on the conflict and the UN gathering of world leaders.
The proposed plan calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories seized in the 1967 Middle East war. It envisions Hamas relinquishing control to a politically independent committee under the Palestinian Authority and disarming, although Hamas has yet to comply fully.
International assistance would support rebuilding Gaza and governing the Palestinian territories, potentially including foreign peacekeepers. The plan also anticipates regional peace and integration, possibly involving Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel.
Several Western countries, including Britain, Canada, and Australia, have formally recognized a Palestinian state, with France expected to follow suit at the UN General Assembly. This recognition aims to bolster the two-state solution framework.
However, the initiative faces significant obstacles. The United States and Israel strongly oppose the international push for Palestinian statehood, viewing it as rewarding Hamas and complicating efforts to end the war and secure hostages' release. The U.S. has barred Palestinian officials from attending the General Assembly, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened unilateral actions, including possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.
Netanyahu's government opposes Palestinian statehood and has expanded Jewish settlements in occupied territories. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties and widespread displacement in Gaza, with ongoing military offensives threatening further devastation.
The French-Saudi plan sidesteps contentious issues such as final borders, refugee returns, Jerusalem's status, and recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. It relies heavily on the Palestinian Authority, which faces criticism from Palestinians and Israel alike.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the necessity of a two-state solution, stating, "Without a two-state solution, there will be no peace in the Middle East." Despite this, peace talks have stalled for years, and prospects remain uncertain amid the current conflict dynamics.
The international community continues to debate the path forward as violence persists, underscoring the complexity of achieving a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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