UN Conference on the Two State Solution (Israel and Palestine)

The UN has scheduled a high-level conference on the Two State Solution to take place on June 2-4, 2025 in New York. As detailed below, the main aim of the conference is to obtain recognition of a Palestinian state from UN member states.

The conference will be entitled High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. It is to be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, and is open to participation by all UN member states and observers, as well as UN entities. The Secretary-General and UNGA President ‘are encouraged to give the highest visibility to the Conference.’

The stated aim of the conference

is to ‘adopt an action-oriented outcome document’ the purpose of which is to ‘urgently chart an irreversible pathway towards the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution.’  The Palestinian representative to the UN Riyad Mansour said he planned to work with UN member states to ensure the conference achieves

On April 12, 2025, the two co-chairs, Saudi Arabia and France, held an initial briefing on the conference at UN Headquarters in New York. Saudi ambassador Dr Abdulaziz Al-Wasel reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a two-state solution and announced the formation of working groups to address key substantive issues. During the meeting, several delegations emphasized the importance of

Israel is opposed to an international body setting up a ‘State of Palestine’, claiming it represents ‘a bad faith attempt by the Palestinians to circumvent the Oslo Accords, the treaty that governs their relationship with Israel’. The Oslo Accords obligates them to negotiate final status issues with Israel, including borders — a prerequisite for Palestinian statehood. Moreover, Israel’s right to security and the Palestinians’ obligations to combat terrorism are key components of the Oslo Accords, which have been completely ignored both by the ICJ in its July 19, 2024 advisory opinion and by the UN in its resolutions setting this upcoming conference. Palestinian statehood cannot come at the expense of Israel’s right to secure borders and the safety and security of its citizens. 

The international community should not indulge this Palestinian effort to achieve international recognition outside of the Oslo framework. Aside from threatening the international treaty regime, it encourages Palestinian recalcitrance by sending the message that they can achieve their goals without negotiations. Furthermore, any recognition of a Palestinian state through this conference constitutes a reward for the atrocities of October 7th and would only incentivize more Palestinian terrorism.

The current legal status of the issue

In an attempt to solve the decades-long Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the Oslo Accords were signed between Israel and the PLO in 1993 and 1995, creating the Palestinian Authority (PA) as a self-governing interim administration in the Gaza Strip and around 40% of the West Bank.  After the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and Benjamin Netanyahu‘s ascension to power, negotiations between Israel and the PA stalled, which led the Palestinians to pursue international recognition of the State of Palestine without Israeli acquiescence.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

In 2011, the State of Palestine was admitted into UNESCO; in 2012, after it was accepted as an observer state of the United Nations General Assembly with the votes of 138 member states of the United Nations, the PA began to officially use the name “State of Palestine” for all purposes. In December 2014, International Criminal Court recognized Palestine as a “State” without prejudice to any future judicial determinations on this issue.

Among the G20, ten countries (Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and Spain) have recognized Palestine as a state, while nine countries (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the UK and USA) have not.  Although these latter countries generally support some form of a two state solution to the conflict, they take the position that their recognition of a Palestinian state is conditioned to direct negotiations between Israel and the PA.

Potential changes to this situation

President Macron of France is proposing a recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN Conference. The UK is in discussion with France and Saudi Arabia over recognising Palestine and is ‘keeping alive the political path to a two-state solution in the Middle East’, the UK foreign secretary David Lammy has said. Recognition of Palestine by two permanent members of the UN security council would be a powerful statement but faces many diplomatic hurdles, including a need for greater clarity about what France is proposing and whether recognition could form part of a credible process towards a two-state solution, something Israel is opposing.

Hearing of France’s intention to recognise a Palestinian State, Israel PM Netanyahu said, told Macron that a Palestinian state would be a “huge prize for terror” following the Hamas onslaught of October 7, 2023, when the terror group stormed southern Israel to kill some 1,200 people and take 251 hostages, sparking the war in Gaza.  He said ‘A Palestinian state that is established a few minutes from Israeli cities will be a stronghold for Iranian terror and that a large majority of the Israeli public firmly opposes this – and this is also his consistent and long-standing policy,” referring to Iran’s support for regional terror proxies including Hamas.  The premier’s office said he also told Macron that no Palestinian official, including from the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, has condemned the Hamas onslaught.

The UN Conference claims that it will take into account the security interests of Israel and everyone else in the region. But given the stated intention of many of the key players to destroy the State of Israel that is probably a false promise. 

A number of Bible passages come to mind

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.  And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.  Zechariah 12.2-3

The nations of the world (UN = all nations) are coming together (once again) to discuss the question of who rules Jerusalem.

Then he (the prince to come / Antichrist) shall confirm a covenant with many for one week (7 years); but in the middle of the week (after 3 ½ years) he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.  And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.”  Daniel 9.27

They want to make a covenant (agreement) to divide the land (see also Joel 3).  Some have posited an initial agreement lasting between five to ten years.

From the ends of the earth we have heard songs: “Glory to the righteous!” But I said, “I am ruined, ruined! Woe to me! The treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously, Indeed, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.”  Isaiah 24.16

There is a strong element of treachery and double dealing in all of this.

“We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.”

Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet;
The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; When the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. As often as it goes out it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass over, and by day and by night; it will be a terror just to understand the report.” … For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be angry as in the Valley of Gibeon— that He may do His work, His awesome work, and bring to pass His act, His unusual act. Now therefore, do not be mockers, lest your bonds be made strong;
For I have heard from the Lord God of hosts, a destruction determined even upon the whole earth.’  Isaiah 28.16-22

This passage is full of references to a treacherous deal being imposed which will lead to an attempted invasion and destruction of Israel. God will intervene at the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30), or the Great Tribulation (Daniel 12, Matthew 24), in an event which leads to destruction upon the earth and deliverance for the Lord’s people.  Then the Messiah Yeshua returns and establishes His 1000 year reign from restored Jerusalem. Halleluyah.

How far this UN event goes towards this happening remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see the position taken by the USA (some claim Trump is wobbling in his support for Netanyahu).  On the basis of Genesis 12 (I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you) the proposed UK and French support for the Palestinian State is not good news for our countries and will only add to the disfavour we are in with the Lord.

For believers the coming together of the nations of the world (the UN) in an attempt to resolve the issue of who rules Jerusalem and the biblical land of Israel is another sign of the relevance of Bible prophecy and the nearness of the Lord’s return.