Kazakhstan has joined the international community in endorsing the two-state solution as the most viable path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Backing the recently adopted "New York Declaration" at the United Nations General Assembly, Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic resolution that envisions Israel and Palestine coexisting as independent, sovereign states.
Applause echoed through the halls of the United Nations General Assembly as member states overwhelmingly endorsed the "New York Declaration," a significant document aimed at promoting a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and reaffirming support for a two-State solution, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.
The Declaration emerged from a high-level international conference held in July at UN Headquarters, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.
Convened against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza and growing concern over the future of a two-State framework, the conference is scheduled to resume later this month.
In a strong show of support, 142 out of the UN’s 193 Member States voted in favor of the resolution endorsing the Declaration. Israel opposed the resolution, joined by nine other nations including the United States, Argentina, Hungary, and Papua New Guinea. An additional 12 countries abstained from the vote.
Speaking before the vote, French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont described the Declaration as “a single roadmap to deliver the two-State solution.” The comprehensive plan calls for:
An immediate ceasefire in Gaza
The unconditional release of all hostages
The creation of a sovereign, viable Palestinian state
The disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from political governance in Gaza
Normalization of relations between Israel and Arab nations
Regional collective security guarantees to ensure long-term peace
While many countries welcomed the move as a step forward in a decades-long conflict, Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon condemned the Declaration as “one-sided” and ineffective. “This will not be remembered as a step toward peace,” he stated, calling it “another hollow gesture that weakens this Assembly’s credibility.”
Danon further warned that Hamas stands to benefit most from the endorsement, claiming the group will view the resolution as a direct result of its actions on October 7.
Conversely, UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced strong support for the Declaration during the July conference. He reiterated the UN's enduring stance that “the central question for Middle East peace is the implementation of the two-State solution - where two independent, sovereign, democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and security.”
The vote came just days after the opening of the UN General Assembly’s 80th session, where newly appointed President Annalena Baerbock called on nations to unite in addressing pressing global challenges - from violent conflicts and poverty to climate change. Sworn in on the original 1945 UN Charter, Baerbock pledged to lead with "courage and inclusiveness" during a time of mounting global uncertainty.
The resumption of the international peace conference later this month is expected to continue discussions on implementing the New York Declaration and advancing concrete steps toward lasting peace in the Middle East.
