UNGA’s Gaza Debate Fuels Renewed Two-State Solution Drive

The United Nations General Assembly summit ended with a wave of condemnation of Israel, as leaders accused it of committing genocide in Gaza and criticised the international community for failing to halt the bloodshed.

Speeches in the closing sessions were dominated by the conflict in Gaza, with heads of state and foreign ministers calling for an immediate end to hostilities and renewed efforts towards a two-state solution.

Many delegates accused Israel of flouting international law and warned that global inaction was feeding instability across the Middle East.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron said the world “must do everything within our power” to keep alive the prospect of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose government has recognised Palestine, told the Assembly that “a large majority of countries” now support Palestinian statehood.

Ireland’s leader said Israel’s actions represented “an abandonment of all norms, all international rules and law.”

Egypt’s foreign minister warned the region was on the brink of collapse, while Saudi Arabia called the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intolerable and pressed for a recognised Palestinian state. Several Gulf states urged tougher international measures to stop the fighting.

More than 100 diplomats walked out in protest during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address.

The surge of speeches followed nearly a year of war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’s cross-border attack into southern Israel on October 7 last year.

Israel has since mounted a sustained campaign of air strikes and ground operations aimed at destroying Hamas’s military capacity and freeing hostages.

Palestinian officials say tens of thousands have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced as hospitals, schools and residential areas have been hit.

Israel rejects accusations of genocide and says its operations are necessary to neutralise Hamas and prevent future attacks.

Netanyahu told the Assembly that Israel would “finish the job” in Gaza and criticised countries that have recognised Palestine, accusing them of “appeasing evil.”

While the summit highlighted growing diplomatic isolation for Israel and increasing recognition of Palestine, it produced few concrete steps beyond calls for ceasefires, humanitarian access and renewed negotiations.

gandae@businessdayafrica.org