The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved a significant resolution that calls for an “irreversible path” toward the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
The resolution, known as the New York Declaration, was co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, and passed on Friday with 142 countries voting in favour, 10 against, and 12 abstaining.
It outlines a multi-pronged framework aimed at ending the ongoing war in Gaza, securing the release of hostages, disarming Hamas, halting Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, and advancing full UN membership for Palestine.
Among the 10 countries that opposed the resolution were Israel, the United States, Argentina, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and Tonga.
Those that abstained included Albania, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guatemala, North Macedonia, Moldova, Samoa and South Sudan.
Palestine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the vote as “a resounding affirmation of the international community’s support for justice and peace.”
In sharp contrast, Israel rejected the resolution, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating that “there will be no Palestinian state.”
Israel’s UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, dismissed the outcome as “a political circus detached from reality.”
The United States, a long-time ally of Israel, also condemned the resolution, calling it “counterproductive” and arguing that it undermines diplomatic efforts while allegedly rewarding militant groups like Hamas.
The resolution comes amid renewed hostilities between Israel and Hamas, continued Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and the announcement of fresh settlement plans in the West Bank, developments that have deepened global concerns about the feasibility of a two-state solution.
A follow-up summit co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia is scheduled for September 22 in New York, where several European countries are expected to consider formally recognising a Palestinian state.
Nigeria was among the 142 countries that voted in favour of the resolution, aligning with its traditional foreign policy stance in support of a peaceful two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
While the resolution is non-binding, it reflects a growing international consensus and mounting impatience especially among developing nations over the prolonged lack of progress in peace negotiations.
