The United Nations General Assembly voted strongly in favour of a resolution supporting a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. The vote counted 142 countries for, 10 against, and 12 abstaining.
The resolution endorsed a seven-page declaration from a July UN conference hosted by Saudi Arabia and France. It comes ahead of a world leaders’ meeting on September 22, 2025, during the UN General Assembly. At the meeting, Britain and other nations may recognise a Palestinian state.
The declaration calls for clear and timely steps to achieve the two-state solution. It condemns Israel’s attacks on Gaza’s civilians and infrastructure. These attacks have caused a severe humanitarian crisis. The resolution demands an immediate end to the Gaza war. It supports an international stabilisation mission under the UN Security Council. The resolution also isolates Hamas. It condemns its actions and calls for Hamas to surrender and disarm, as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot noted on X.
The United Nations overwhelmingly voted to endorse a declaration outlining 'tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps' towards a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians https://t.co/GNDCzLdjjM pic.twitter.com/x9OAXCo3MG
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 12, 2025
All Gulf Arab states supported the resolution, showing regional unity. However, the United States, Israel, and countries like Argentina and Hungary voted against it. US diplomat Morgan Ortagus called the resolution a “misguided publicity stunt” that helps Hamas and harms peace efforts. Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said the vote was one-sided. He said it supports terrorists rather than peace. Both countries boycotted the July conference, citing bias.
Watch the moment the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to endorse the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
The world chooses peace.
Palestine chooses peace. pic.twitter.com/U91yVEuCJc
— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) September 12, 2025
The vote follows rising tensions after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The attack killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and led to 251 hostages taken, according to Israeli reports. Gaza’s health officials say over 64,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in the ongoing war. The UN resolution addresses this violence. It aims to push for peace through a clear two-state plan.
The UN’s strong support shows global commitment to resolving the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict. Yet, opposition from key players like the US and Israel shows the challenges of reaching an agreement. The upcoming leaders’ meeting may shape the way forward or deepen divisions.