UN General Assembly Votes to Advance Palestinian Statehood Amid Gaza Conflict
The United Nations General Assembly voted 142–10 on September 12, 2025, in favor of a declaration advocating for the establishment of a Palestinian state, amid escalating international pressure on Israel due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, reports 24brussels.
This resolution, known as the New York declaration, calls for “tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution and collective action to end the Israeli military operations in Gaza. The vote reflected significant support, but it was opposed by several nations including Israel, the United States, and various Pacific island states.
Drafted by France and Saudi Arabia, the declaration has gained backing from the Arab League and was co-signed by 17 UN member states in July. The resolution follows an international conference on Israel’s long-standing occupation, which was notably boycotted by both Washington and Tel Aviv. With this adoption, the diplomatic momentum towards recognizing Palestinian statehood continues to grow.
According to reports, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia plan to recognize Palestinian statehood during the current General Assembly session, joining a group of 147 countries that already acknowledge the State of Palestine, proclaimed in 1988. Currently, approximately three-quarters of UN member states recognize Palestine.
Israeli officials have firmly rejected the declaration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel “would never accept a Palestinian state.” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed concerns that European recognition of Palestine could lead Israel to make “unilateral decisions.” Additionally, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced plans to annex more than 80 percent of the occupied West Bank, stating that his settlement expansion scheme “buries the concept of a Palestinian state.”
In a ruling in July 2024, the International Court of Justice deemed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This backdrop of legal and diplomatic challenges occurs as Israel’s military actions in Gaza have resulted in catastrophic loss of life, with more than 64,700 Palestinians reported killed and over 164,000 injured since October 2023, according to official figures.
The outcome of the General Assembly vote underscores the increasing isolation of Israel and the U.S. within the international community while reinforcing the argument that achieving a two-state solution is critical for stabilizing the region and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
