Two-State Conference sets 15-month timeline for creation of Palestinian state

Participants in the Two-State Solution Conference, held in New York, on Tuesday agreed on the need to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a two-state solution, according to a draft of the conference’s final statement.

The seven-page declaration is the result of an international conference at the UN this week – hosted by Saudi Arabia and France – on the decades-long conflict. The United States and Israel boycotted the event.

The draft stated that war, occupation and displacement cannot achieve peace, adding that a two-state solution is the only way to meet the aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians and calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state living in peace side by side with Israel.

Conference participants said they were committed to taking time-bound steps to implement the two-state solution, noting that the timeframe for establishing a Palestinian state is 15 months.

The draft stressed the importance of ensuring a viable future for both Palestinians and Israelis, warning that without a two-state solution, the conflict will deepen. It also called on Israel to make a public commitment to the two-state solution.

It highlighted the need to reject the forced displacement of Palestinians and urged Israel to end violence and incitement against Palestinians.

The draft also said that the war in Gaza must end now, noting that participants had agreed on collective measures to end the war in Gaza.

It stressed that Hamas must release all hostages and end its rule in Gaza, condemning both Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023 and Israeli attacks against civilians. It also noted that taking hostages is prohibited under international law.

The draft underscored the rejection of starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza, and added that participants demand the immediate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

It confirmed that participants support the creation of a dedicated fund for the reconstruction of Gaza, adding that The United Nations and international organizations must provide resources to support Gaza’s rebuilding efforts.

The draft added that a transitional committee must be established in Gaza immediately under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority, expressing support for the urgent implementation of the Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction.

It welcomed the principle of one state and one armed force under the Palestinian Authority, emphasizing the need for Hamas to fully disarm and hand over its weapons to Palestinian security forces.

The draft also welcomed the Palestinian president’s commitment to holding general elections within a year, stressing that Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian state and must be unified with the West Bank.

The draft also stressed that UNRWA’s role is currently indispensable, adding that UNRWA will hand over its services to the Palestinian Authority once a just solution to the refugee crisis is reached.