Compromise plan sees Arab states condemning 7 October attacks in return for clear UN support for a Palestinian state.
The UN general assembly has voted to back a Hamas-free government for Palestine as part of a carefully crafted compromise that sees Arab states go further in condemning its October 2023 attack on Israel in return for clear support for a Palestinian state.
The aim is to show that Israel and the US are isolated in opposing a long-term solution to the Gaza war, and how countries such as Germany, a strong supporter of Israel, are backing a solution in which the Palestinian Authority governs the West Bank and Gaza.
The 142-10 vote on Friday was to endorse the so-called New York declaration, a statement calling for a two-state solution, crafted by France and Saudi Arabia in July.
It includes some of the sharpest criticism of Hamas ever endorsed by the UN.
The text states: “We condemn the attacks perpetrated on 7 October by Hamas against civilians,” and “Hamas must release all hostages” held in Gaza.
Israel, the US, Hungary and Argentina were among the countries voting against.
The vote for the declaration will be seen as paving the way for the one-day UN conference on a two-state solution, due to be held in New York immediately before the UN general assembly high level week.
At that conference a host of states, including France, UK, Canada and Australia, will formally recognise the state of Palestine.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, insisted on Thursday that Israel would never accept a Palestinian state.
Around three-quarters of the 193 UN member states recognise the Palestinian state proclaimed in 1988 by the exiled Palestinian leadership.
Germany and Italy remain the two large European countries holding out against recognition of a Palestine state, although the Italian coalition government is increasingly divided on the issue.
Five European countries have now banned all imports from illegal Israeli settlements.
The declaration states: “In the context of the end of the war in Gaza, Hamas must cease exercising its authority over the Gaza Strip and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with the support and cooperation of the international community, in accordance with the objective of a sovereign and independent S...
The political importance lies in whether the issue moves from public comment into formal action, party response, court record, election authority notice or administrative decision.
For public institutions and political groups, the next test is whether the issue remains a public argument or turns into a formal response, legal proceeding, administrative instruction or election-related communication.
