General Assembly backs roadmap for peace, endorsing an independent State of Palestine.
United Nations General Assembly of the “New York Declaration” on the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine, issued by the High-Level International Conference for the Settlement of the Question of Palestine. General Assembly endorses New York Declaration on two-State solution between Israel and Palestine.
United Nations A/80/L.1/Rev.1 General Assembly, on 10 September 2025. Eightieth session, Item 35 of the provisional agenda, Question of Palestine Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brunei Darussalam, Colombia, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Guinea, Indonesia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Türkiye, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Yemen and State of Palestine, revised draft decision Endorsement of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution
The General Assembly, recalling its resolution ES-10/24 of 18 September 2024, in which it decided to convene during the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly an international conference under the auspices of the Assembly for the implementation of the United Nations resolutions pertaining to the question of Palestine and the two-State solution for the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, recalling also its resolution 79/81 of 3 December 2024, in which it adopted the modalities for the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, convened from 28 to 30 July in New York, and decided that it would adopt an action-oriented outcome document to urgently chart an irreversible pathway towards the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution, recalling further the decision of the General Assembly, in its decision 79/573 B of 5 September 2025, to resume the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution:
(a) Expresses its profound gratitude to France and Saudi Arabia for discharging their responsibilities as Co-Chairs of the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and for elaborating, together with the Co-Chairs of the working groups, on the basis of consultations with all participating States, the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution;
(b) Endorses the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution submitted by the Co-Chairs of the Conference and the Co-Chairs of the working groups to the Conference. The New York Declaration is the outcome of an international conference held in July at UN Headquarters, organized by France and Saudi Arabia, which resumes later this month.
The General Assembly comprises all 193 UN Member States and 142 countries voted in favour of a resolution backing the document. Israel voted against it, alongside nine other countries – Argentina, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga and the United States – while 12 nations abstained.
Prior to the vote, French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont recalled that the New York Declaration “lays out a single roadmap to deliver the two-State solution”. This involves an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, release of all hostages held there, and the establishment of a Palestinian State that is both viable and sovereign. The roadmap further calls for the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from governance in Gaza, normalization between Israel and the Arab countries, as well as collective security guarantees.
Speaking ahead of the vote, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said that “this one-sided Declaration will not be remembered as a step toward peace, only as another hollow gesture that weakens this Assembly’s credibility.” He said that “Hamas is the biggest winner of any endorsement here today” and will declare it “the fruit of 7th October”.
The high-level international conference in July was held against the backdrop of the war in Gaza and deteriorating prospects for the two-State solution. In remarks to the opening segment, UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that “the central question for Middle East peace is implementation of the two-State solution, where two independent, sovereign, democratic States – Israel and Palestine – live side-by-side in peace and security.”
UN General Assembly adopts resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
India voted in favour of Palestine, which is surprising given the Modi government’s proximity with Israel and its shifting Middle East policy in connection with Israel. Israel has always stood with India, including at the time of Operation Sindoor.
UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions are not legally binding on Member States. Unlike Security Council resolutions (particularly those passed under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which can be enforceable), General Assembly resolutions carry political and moral weight only.
In this case, the New York Declaration, endorsed by the UNGA, signals broad international consensus and legitimacy for the two-state solution and Palestinian statehood. It strengthens Palestine’s diplomatic standing and keeps the issue alive on the world stage. However, it creates no legal obligations on Israel, the U.S., or any other state.
Without U.S. support, especially as a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, any practical enforcement—such as recognition of Palestine at the UN as a full member state, sanctions, or security guarantees—cannot move forward. That’s why, while the resolution shows overwhelming global support, its effect is largely symbolic and political rather than enforceable in international law.
