New York: The Secretary-General has underscored the necessity for the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held in New York, to transcend mere rhetoric and create tangible progress. The conference, titled "Consolidating Outcomes and Charting the Path Forward," serves as a platform to address the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to EMM, the Secretary-General expressed gratitude to the Governments of France and Saudi Arabia for organizing this pivotal event. He acknowledged the enduring challenges of the conflict, which has resisted numerous diplomatic efforts and international resolutions. The Secretary-General highlighted the recent Knesset declaration supporting the annexation of the Occupied West Bank, stating that such actions are illegal and must cease to preserve the viability of the two-State solution.
The conference aims to address systemic issues that threaten peace in the Middle East, emphasizing the urgency of realizing the two-State solution. The Secretary-General stressed the importance of this conference as a potential turning point, advocating for irreversible progress towards ending the occupation and achieving a viable two-State solution. He reiterated that this framework is the only one rooted in international law and supported by the global community.
The Secretary-General outlined the vision of two independent, democratic, and sovereign states, Israel and Palestine, living peacefully within secure and recognized borders based on pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. This vision is seen as the sole credible path to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians and is essential for broader peace in the Middle East.
The Secretary-General called for bold and principled leadership from Israel, Palestine, and other stakeholders to make difficult decisions necessary for peace. He concluded by encouraging and supporting efforts to advance this critical cause for the benefit of the people in the region and humanity as a whole.