The United Nations adopts a declaration outlining concrete steps towards a two-state solution

The United Nations General Assembly voted today, Friday, by an overwhelming majority in favor of a political declaration that sets out “concrete, time-bound, and irreversible steps” paving the way for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, just days before the world leaders' meeting in New York.

Background of the declaration

The declaration, consisting of seven pages, was the result of an international conference held at the United Nations headquarters last July under the sponsorship of Saudi Arabia and France, while both the United States and Israel boycotted it. The text aims to establish a practical framework that ensures progress towards establishing an independent Palestinian state living in security and peace alongside Israel.

Voting result

142 countries supported the declaration.
10 countries opposed it.
12 countries abstained from voting.

Implications of the decision

Observers see that the adoption of this declaration by a wide majority reflects a growing international trend to support the two-state solution as the only viable option to end the decades-long conflict, despite opposition from key powers such as the United States and Israel.