UN General Assembly backs two-state solution, India votes in favor

United Nations: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a draft resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.

The resolution was passed with 142 votes in favor, 10 against and 12 abstentions, Xinhua news agency reported. India was among the countries that supported the measure. On Friday, India voted in favor of the resolution titled ‘Endorsement of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution’.

The declaration, first presented at a high-level conference at the UN in late July, outlines a practical roadmap for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict and advancing the two-state solution.

France and Saudi Arabia, which co-chaired the conference, introduced the draft resolution along with the co-chairs of its working groups.

The permanent observer of Palestine expressed gratitude to the countries that supported the measure, urging those still “pushing the option of war and destruction” to instead listen to the sound of reason. He stressed that the two-state solution would open the way for regional integration, development and cooperation across the Middle East.

France’s representative said the declaration provided a single pathway to achieve the two-state solution, including an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, the creation of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, the disarmament of Hamas, and its removal from governance in Gaza. He also noted that it called for normalization of relations between Israel and Arab nations.

Ahead of the vote, the US representative opposed the declaration, describing the UNGA’s move as a “misguided and ill-timed publicity stunt” that would undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.