DaysofPal- The number of countries officially recognizing the State of Palestine has risen to 160, following a wave of new declarations at a high-level United Nations conference on the two-state solution held in New York on Monday.
The conference, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, brought together heads of state, government leaders, and representatives from international organizations, with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas participating via video link.
The meeting underscored global momentum for the recognition of Palestine and a unified call to halt the ongoing war in Gaza.
In his address, President Abbas renewed demands for an immediate and sustained ceasefire, stressing that the blockade, starvation, and destruction in Gaza cannot bring security.
He asserted that the Palestinian Authority is the sole legitimate body to govern and secure Gaza through a temporary administrative committee linked to the West Bank government, supported by Arab and international partners.
A major highlight of the conference was the official recognition of Palestine by several European nations.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced his country’s recognition, declaring that the time for peace has come and that such a move affirms the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights.
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever followed suit, with the Belgian leader citing the Israeli settlement expansion and Gaza genocide as decisive factors.
Portugal, Monaco, and Andorra also formally recognized the Palestinian state, joining a growing list of European countries backing Palestinian sovereignty.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, represented by Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, hailed the conference as a historic opportunity to revive peace efforts, stressing that the two-state solution remains the foundation of Middle East stability.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed the sentiment, affirming that recognition of Palestine is not a “reward” but a “right,” and called for an end to Israel’s occupation.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II condemned the devastation in Gaza as a violation of international law and demanded unrestricted humanitarian aid.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused the Israeli government of committing genocide and called for a full withdrawal from Gaza.
Other leaders also expressed strong support. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described the situation in Gaza as an attempt to erase any chance of a Palestinian state. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly warned against the forced displacement of Palestinians, calling it ethnic cleansing, and stressed that a two-state solution is essential for regional stability.
Portugal’s president reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Palestinian sovereignty while urging an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and full access for humanitarian aid.
The surge of international recognition is seen as a major diplomatic breakthrough for the Palestinians amid mounting global concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
The joint declarations at the UN highlight a shifting consensus: that the two-state solution, which had long been stalled, is now viewed as urgent and indispensable. With 160 states now recognizing Palestine, pressure is mounting on the Israeli occupation and its allies to engage in renewed peace negotiations and to halt military operations in Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians, most of them children, have been killed or wounded.
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