India, Alongside 141 Nations, Backs Sovereign Palestinian State At UN, Days After Israel PM's Assertion Against It (Photo on X@IrishMissionUN)

On Friday, September 13, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly voted in support of the creation of a sovereign Palestinian State, days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that there will be no Palestinian state.

An overwhelming 142 countries, including India and many European countries, supported the UN resolution backing the “New York Declaration”, which seeks a two-state solution to the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Ten countries, including Israel and the United States, voted against the resolution, while 12 nations decided to abstain from voting. The resolution was introduced by France.

Read Also: “There Will Be No Palestinian State”: Israel PM Signs Deal To Expand Settlement In West Bank

Israel reacted to the resolution, calling it disgraceful, and stating that it would encourage Hamas to continue the Gaza war. The UN voting comes ahead of the organization’s summit scheduled for September 22 in New York, which will be co-chaired by Riyadh and Paris. Notably, French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to formally recognize the Palestinian state during the summit.

Read Also: France To Recognise Palestine State In Coming Months, Says Macron

The resolution was titled ‘Endorsement of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution’. During the meeting, leaders agreed to take collective action to end the war in Gaza, to achieve a just, peaceful and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the effective implementation of the two-state solution, and to build a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and all peoples of the region.

The world leaders also called on the Israeli leadership to issue a clear public commitment to the two-state solution, including a sovereign, and viable Palestinian State, and to “immediately end violence and incitement against Palestinians, to immediately halt all settlement, land grabs and annexation activities.

The resolution also supported the right of  the Palestinian people to self-determination.