UN backs New York Declaration for phased two-state solution

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly endorsed a seven page declaration laying out timebound steps toward a two state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, voting 142 to 10 with 12 abstentions to back what sponsors have dubbed the New York Declaration. The resolution, presented by France and Saudi Arabia and approved in a nonbinding vote, calls for a phased plan to end the war in Gaza, demands that Hamas free hostages and surrender its weapons, and urges states to recognize a sovereign Palestinian state covering the West Bank and Gaza as part of a negotiated outcome.

The declaration, which emerged from a high level conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia in July, endorses a process in which the Palestinian Authority would assume governance of Palestinian territory after a ceasefire and transitional arrangements. It envisages an immediate transitional administrative committee under Palestinian Authority auspices, the handover of weapons by Hamas, and a temporary international stabilization mission under U.N. auspices to protect civilians, support the transfer of security, and monitor a ceasefire and any future agreement.