By Priti Sharma
America News World
September 22, 2025
NEW YORK — In a bold escalation of diplomatic efforts to revive the long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process, dozens of world leaders are gathering today at the United Nations for a high-level summit co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. The event, timed just ahead of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, aims to galvanize support for a two-state solution, with several nations poised to formally recognize a sovereign Palestinian state. This move, hailed by proponents as a vital step toward peace, has drawn fierce condemnation from Israel and the United States, who view it as a dangerous concession to terrorism.
The summit follows a cascade of announcements over the weekend, where Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal became the latest Western allies to extend formal recognition to Palestine. France, the summit’s driving force, is expected to join them today, alongside Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, and potentially New Zealand and Liechtenstein. 43 These recognitions bring the total number of countries acknowledging Palestinian statehood to over 150, representing more than 75% of UN member states. 40 French President Emmanuel Macron, who first signaled his intent in July, framed the initiative as a “concrete step” to preserve the two-state vision before it slips away amid escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank. 5
“This is not a vague promise for the distant future, but a roadmap that begins with the top priorities: a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian aid into Gaza,” declared French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot during a press briefing Thursday. 3 The New York Declaration, endorsed by the UN General Assembly earlier this month by an overwhelming 142-10 vote, outlines “tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps” toward Palestinian sovereignty, including Hamas’s disarmament and surrender. 0 8 It also condemns Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in over 65,000 Palestinian deaths—mostly civilians—according to Gaza health authorities, alongside widespread famine and repeated displacements of the population. 3
The urgency stems from the dire situation on the ground. Israel’s ground assault on Gaza City, launched last week, has forced thousands to flee southward under evacuation orders, exacerbating a humanitarian catastrophe two years after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. In the West Bank, settler violence has surged, with Israeli officials privately mulling annexation of parts of the territory as retaliation for the recognitions. 3 “The world is saying out loud a Palestinian state, and we need to materialize it,” Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin told reporters Sunday, urging concrete measures to end the “Israeli colonial occupation.”
Yet, the path forward is fraught. Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon announced a boycott, labeling the summit a “circus” that “rewards terrorism.” 3 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this in a fiery statement, vowing that “a Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River” and promising a forceful response post his U.S. visit. He accused recognizing nations of granting “fruits of the October 7 massacre” to Hamas, a sentiment shared by U.S. officials who warned of “consequences” for participants, including France. The U.S., a staunch Israeli ally, has historically vetoed Palestinian bids for full UN membership and views unilateral recognition as undermining negotiations.
On the Palestinian side, reactions are mixed. Displaced Gazan Nabeel Jaber expressed skepticism, doubting that recognitions from powers like Australia and France would pressure Israel sufficiently for a ceasefire or rights concessions. 3 “Even if they acknowledge Palestine, there will still be no serious pressure,” he said amid the chaos of fleeing Israeli strikes. In contrast, West Bank resident Mohammed Abu Al Fahim called it “a victory for the historic rights of the Palestinians.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, absent in person due to U.S. visa denials, will join virtually, emphasizing reforms to modernize the Palestinian Authority (PA)—a condition attached by several recognizing states. Britain, for instance, tied its decision to PA progress on democracy and excluding Hamas from governance.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announcing recognition Sunday, stressed it as a “pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people for a better future,” while condemning Hamas as a “brutal terrorist organization.” 45 Canada’s Mark Carney decried Israel’s “sustained assault” as a violation of international law, linking recognition to a demilitarized Palestine and 2026 elections without Hamas. Australia’s Anthony Albanese echoed longstanding support for two states, noting it aligns with “peace, security, and prosperity.” Portugal’s Paulo Rangel called it the “only path” to lasting peace.
This wave of recognitions marks a seismic shift among Israel’s traditional Western partners, reversing decades of caution in favor of unilateral action. 42 It builds on a July 2025 Paris-Riyadh conference that envisioned a 15-month plan for Palestinian statehood, including hostage releases and PA reforms. 1 UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the conflict is at a “breaking point,” urging courage to end the cycle of violence.
In Israel, public sentiment remains raw from the Hamas atrocities. Tel Aviv film student Tamara Raveh, 25, vented frustration: “We’ve offered them peace five times. They never chose it. Why choose peace with people who want to kidnap, murder, and rape our people?” Yet, a grassroots petition by group Zazim, signed by nearly 9,000 Israelis including bereaved October 7 families, supports recognition as the “only path to peace.” Opposition leader Yair Golan decried Netanyahu’s policies as a “diplomatic failure,” arguing a demilitarized Palestinian state could anchor a broader regional deal.
Social media buzz underscores the divide. On X (formerly Twitter), users like @WaseemAbuMahadi argued, “If you truly support a two-state solution, there’s no reason to be against recognizing a Palestinian state,” while @BriannaWu countered that acceptance of Israel’s existence must precede it to avoid more bloodshed. British MP Peter Lamb highlighted the UK’s role in pushing for negotiated peace amid the “genocide.”
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, co-hosting virtually, skipped in-person attendance, but the kingdom’s involvement signals potential Arab normalization with Israel if a deal materializes. As the Eiffel Tower lit up with Palestinian and Israeli flags Sunday in a symbolic nod to two states, the summit arrives at a pivotal moment. Will it forge a breakthrough or deepen rifts? For Palestinians like Jaber, it’s a flicker of hope in the rubble: “I hope this diplomatic tool pressures for a complete ceasefire and end to the war.”
With the Gaza war grinding on and settler encroachments accelerating, today’s proceedings could redefine the Middle East—or entrench its divisions. As Barrot put it, the agenda includes a “plan for the day after,” but only if leaders transcend rhetoric for resolve.
Priti Sharma is a senior correspondent for America News World, covering international diplomacy and conflict zones. Reach her at psharma@anw