The two-state solution Israel Palestine has returned to the spotlight as France and Saudi Arabia push for global support at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The ongoing Gaza conflict has heightened urgency for a resolution widely seen as the only viable path to lasting peace.
Countries including Britain, Canada, and Australia officially recognized Palestine, joining nearly 150 nations. France is expected to follow at the UNGA, with a roadmap for a Palestinian state in territories captured during the 1967 war. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned, “Without a two-state solution, there will be no peace in the Middle East.”
However, Israel has rejected Palestinian statehood, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning that unilateral moves would provoke retaliation. The US has also opposed Palestinian participation at the UNGA. Netanyahu’s coalition continues plans to annex parts of the West Bank, complicating the creation of a viable state.
The French-Saudi plan calls for an immediate Gaza ceasefire, release of hostages, Israeli withdrawal, and transfer of authority to a politically independent Palestinian committee aligned with the Palestinian Authority. It also includes international peacekeepers, Gaza reconstruction, and eventual regional integration, including Saudi normalization with Israel.
Despite growing international momentum, obstacles remain. Gaza is devastated, nearly 90% of residents displaced, and the West Bank hosts over 500,000 Israeli settlers. Hamas’ refusal to recognize Israel and the Palestinian Authority’s loss of credibility further complicate negotiations. Analysts warn Netanyahu’s vision of a “Greater Israel” conflicts directly with Palestinian sovereignty.
The two-state solution Israel Palestine remains crucial, but its success depends on political compromise, international support, and a credible Palestinian governance structure.
