In a landmark decision, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on September 12, 2025, to endorse a resolution supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state without the involvement of Hamas. The non-binding resolution, known as the “New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,” passed with 142 votes in favor, 10 against, and 12 abstentions. Crafted by France and Saudi Arabia in July 2025, the declaration condemns the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel and calls for the group to surrender its weapons and release all hostages, marking some of the strongest UN criticism of the militant organization to date.
The vote comes amid ongoing efforts to revive the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, following nearly two years of war in Gaza triggered by Hamas’s assault. It precedes a UN summit on September 22, 2025, co-chaired by Riyadh and Paris, where leaders from several countries, including France’s Emmanuel Macron, have pledged to formally recognize a Palestinian state. While the resolution lacks legal force, it signals strong international support for a pathway to peace that excludes Hamas from governance in Gaza, potentially isolating the group and pressuring Israel to engage in negotiations.
The New York Declaration: Key Provisions
The resolution outlines “tangible, time-bound, and irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution, emphasizing the end of the Gaza war and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel. Central to the document is the requirement for Hamas to cease its authority in Gaza, hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority (PA), and release all remaining hostages from the October 7 attacks. It explicitly condemns the Hamas-led attacks that killed over 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages, describing them as acts against civilians.
The declaration also proposes a “temporary international stabilization mission” under a UN Security Council mandate to protect civilians, bolster Palestinian institutions, and provide security guarantees to both Israel and Palestine. This mission would support the PA in governing Gaza post-Hamas, aiming for a unified Palestinian administration over the West Bank and Gaza. The text calls for collective international action to end the conflict and implement the two-state framework, which envisions an independent Palestine based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps.
Hamas has rejected the resolution, stating it would not disarm without the full establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. The declaration’s endorsement by the Arab League, including Saudi Arabia, represents a compromise where Arab states explicitly condemn the October 7 attacks in exchange for UN backing of Palestinian statehood.
The Vote Breakdown: International Support and Opposition
The resolution received broad backing, with 142 of the 193 UN member states voting in favor, reflecting widespread global frustration with the stalled peace process. India was among the supporters, aligning with its historical position on a two-state solution. Key European nations like France, the UK, and Germany voted yes, with the latter— a strong Israel ally—backing the plan despite its emphasis on Palestinian statehood.
Opposition came from 10 countries, led by Israel and the United States. Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon slammed the declaration as a “prize for terror,” arguing it rewards Hamas for its actions and undermines peace efforts. The U.S. called it a “misguided and ill-timed publicity stunt” that ignores serious diplomacy and gifts legitimacy to Hamas. Other no votes included Argentina, Hungary, and several Pacific island nations like Micronesia and Nauru.
Twelve countries abstained, including some EU members like Italy, which remains divided on recognizing Palestine. Around three-quarters of UN members already recognize the Palestinian state proclaimed in 1988, but the resolution pushes for broader formal acknowledgment, especially from holdouts like Germany and Italy.
Reactions: Praise, Criticism, and Diplomatic Maneuvers
Supporters hailed the vote as a significant step toward peace. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot described it as isolating Hamas globally, noting the UN’s first direct condemnation of its crimes and call for disarmament. Richard Gowan, UN Director at the International Crisis Group, called the Hamas condemnation “significant,” though he acknowledged Israelis might view it as “far too little, far too late.” Palestinian Permanent Observer Riyad Mansour addressed the assembly, emphasizing the need for an end to the Gaza war and implementation of the two-state solution.
Critics from Israel and the U.S. were vocal. Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the assembly a “political circus detached from reality,” arguing it emboldens terrorists. U.S. diplomat Morgan Ortagus echoed this, stating the resolution is a “gift to Hamas” that undermines hostage negotiations and ceasefire talks. The Israeli government views unilateral recognition of Palestine as premature and rewarding aggression, especially while Hamas holds hostages and controls Gaza.
Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, played a pivotal role in crafting the compromise, balancing condemnation of Hamas with demands for Palestinian rights. The resolution’s passage is seen as a diplomatic win for France and Riyadh, pressuring holdouts to recognize Palestine at the upcoming summit. Five European countries have already banned imports from Israeli settlements, signaling shifting alliances.
Context: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Two-State Solution
The vote occurs nearly two years after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks, which killed 1,200 Israelis and led to a war in Gaza that has claimed over 40,000 Palestinian lives, according to health authorities. The conflict has displaced millions and drawn global condemnation, with calls for a ceasefire and hostage release intensifying.
The two-state solution, endorsed by the UN since 1947, envisions Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully. However, progress has stalled due to Israeli settlements, Hamas’s control of Gaza since 2007, and mutual distrust. The declaration aims to revive this by empowering the PA and excluding Hamas, but implementation faces hurdles, including UN Security Council approval for the stabilization mission, where U.S. veto power looms.
Around 75% of UN members recognize Palestine, but formal statehood requires Security Council endorsement and bilateral talks. The upcoming summit could see recognitions from Britain, France, Canada, Australia, and Belgium, further isolating Israel and the U.S.
Implications and Future Outlook
The resolution’s passage strengthens the international push for Palestinian statehood, potentially accelerating recognitions and pressuring Hamas to comply. However, its non-binding nature limits immediate impact, and critics argue it ignores Hamas’s refusal to disarm without full sovereignty. Israel may view it as biased, straining relations with supporters like the U.S., while Arab states gain leverage in condemning terrorism.
The September 22 summit will be pivotal, with Macron’s recognition pledge signaling momentum. Experts like Gowan suggest it could isolate extremists but warn of backlash from hardliners on both sides. As the Gaza war rages, this vote offers a glimmer of hope for diplomacy, though true peace remains elusive.