UN Overwhelmingly Endorses Two-State Solution Declaration/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to endorse a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. The declaration condemned both Hamas’ October 7 attack and Israel’s military actions in Gaza. While backed by Gulf states and Europe, the U.S. and Israel rejected it.
Two-State Solution Quick Look
- Vote outcome: 142 in favor, 10 against, 12 abstentions
- Supporters: Gulf Arab states, France, Canada, Belgium, Australia, EU powers
- Opponents: U.S., Israel, Argentina, Hungary, Paraguay, and several Pacific nations
- Declaration text: Condemns Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack and Israel’s Gaza strikes
- Next steps: Britain, France, Canada, Australia, Belgium expected to recognize Palestine Sept. 22
- Humanitarian crisis: Over 64,000 Palestinians killed, half women and children
- U.S. stance: Called resolution a “misguided publicity stunt” that aids Hamas
- Israel’s stance: Said the vote benefits terrorists, not peace
UN General Assembly Overwhelmingly Backs Two-State Solution Declaration, Condemns Hamas and Israeli Strikes in Gaza
UNITED NATIONS (Sept. 12, 2025) — The United Nations General Assembly voted Friday to endorse a landmark declaration calling for “tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. The resolution also issued a rare condemnation of both Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have fueled one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Key Takeaways
- Resolution outcome: 142 votes in favor, 10 against, 12 abstentions.
- What it says: Condemns Hamas’ October 7 attacks and Israel’s civilian targeting in Gaza.
- Supporters: All Gulf Arab states, France, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, Belgium, and most of Europe.
- Opposition: United States, Israel, and a handful of allies, including Argentina, Hungary, and several Pacific Island nations.
- Next step: Formal recognition of a Palestinian state expected from Britain, France, Canada, Australia, and Belgium at the UNGA leaders’ summit on Sept. 22.
What the Declaration States
The seven-page declaration, born out of a July conference at the UN co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, emphasizes that the war in Gaza “must end now.” It calls for the creation of a temporary international stabilization mission, to be mandated by the UN Security Council, to help manage conditions on the ground.
The text condemns:
- Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken.
- Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, including strikes on civilian infrastructure, starvation tactics, and siege conditions, which local health authorities say have killed more than 64,000 Palestinians, about half of them women and children.
France Hails “Isolation of Hamas”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot praised the resolution, highlighting its diplomatic weight:
“For the first time, the United Nations adopted a text condemning Hamas for its crimes and calling for its surrender and disarmament.”
The declaration’s adoption was viewed by Paris and Riyadh as a way to break international deadlock over Gaza while reinvigorating the two-state framework.
U.S. and Israel Strongly Oppose Resolution
The United States and Israel rejected the resolution outright, describing it as biased, harmful, and potentially counterproductive.
- U.S. response: Diplomat Morgan Ortagus labeled the declaration “a misguided and ill-timed publicity stunt,” claiming it emboldens Hamas and undermines ongoing negotiations.
- Israel’s stance: UN Ambassador Danny Danon dismissed the vote as “theater,” arguing that it rewards terrorism.
“The only beneficiary is Hamas. When terrorists are cheering, you are not advancing peace; you are advancing terror,” Danon told the assembly.
Support from Gulf Arab States and Global South
Every Gulf Arab state backed the measure, underscoring growing frustration with the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The vote also won support from most of the Global South and the European Union’s largest economies.
Countries opposing the resolution included:
- United States
- Israel
- Argentina
- Hungary
- Micronesia
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Tonga
Meanwhile, 12 nations abstained, reflecting the diplomatic tightrope many states are trying to walk.
The Larger Context
The vote comes at a pivotal time:
- Sept. 22 Summit: World leaders are set to debate recognition of a Palestinian state, with Britain, France, Canada, Australia, and Belgium expected to move forward formally.
- Ongoing war in Gaza: Nearly two years after Hamas’ surprise attack, Israel’s military offensive shows no signs of slowing. International mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, have struggled to secure a long-term ceasefire or a hostage release deal.
- Humanitarian collapse: UN agencies warn that starvation, mass displacement, and lack of medical access are creating catastrophic conditions for Gaza’s 2 million residents.
Why This Matters
- First UN Condemnation of Hamas: The resolution is the first time the General Assembly directly condemned Hamas by name for the October 7 attack.
- Shift in Global Diplomacy: Strong backing from Gulf states and traditional Western allies signals growing willingness to pressure both Hamas and Israel simultaneously.
- Pressure on U.S. and Israel: By opposing the resolution, Washington and Jerusalem risk greater isolation at a moment when international patience is wearing thin.
Looking Ahead
With the General Assembly endorsement secured, attention now shifts to the upcoming UN leaders’ summit. If major Western powers formally recognize a Palestinian state, it could mark the most significant diplomatic shift in the Middle East peace process in decades.
But with the U.S. and Israel holding veto power in the Security Council, and with both governments rejecting the resolution as dangerous, the path toward an actual two-state solution remains deeply uncertain.
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