UN conference in NY calls on Hamas to disarm; Britain threatens to recognize Palestinian state unless Israel commits to peace
A UN conference statement has called for the Islamic group Hamas to disarm and for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The conference in New York was aimed at advancing steps toward a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The New York Declaration was released on Tuesday by France and Saudi Arabia, co-chairs of the meeting attended by more than 100 countries.
The outcome document says a two-state solution is “the only way to satisfy the legitimate aspirations, in accordance with international law, of both Israelis and Palestinians.”
It says the Gaza Strip must be unified with the West Bank, and urges Hamas to end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.
The document also calls on Israel’s leaders to “immediately halt all settlement, land grabs and annexation activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.”
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the document guarantees “peace and security for all.” He called for support for the text ahead of a new session of the UN General Assembly in September.
With Israel and the United States absent from the conference, it is unclear how much support the document will draw.
Japan’s Special Envoy for the Middle East Peace Uemura Tsukasa spoke at the conference on Tuesday. The special representative of the Japanese government said that taking into account the outcomes of the meeting, Japan will “continue a comprehensive assessment of the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood, including the appropriate timing.”
But British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the UK will recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel “takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation” in the Gaza Strip.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement on Tuesday, making Britain the second G7 country after France to signal its intention to recognize a Palestinian state.
The statement says Britain would take that action before the UN General Assembly in September.
It adds that Israel should commit to “a long-term sustainable peace” by allowing the United Nations to restart the supply of humanitarian support in Gaza and by agreeing to a ceasefire with the Islamic group Hamas.
Britain also calls on Israel to make clear “there will be no annexations in the West Bank.”
Starmer said the reason behind the announcement is “to ensure that this plays a part in changing the conditions on the ground” and “making sure that there is hope of a two-state solution for the future.”
Britain has been taking a cautious stance on recognizing a Palestinian state. The move appears aimed at putting pressure on Israel as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens.
