Nigeria joins 141 nations in bold UN push for Israel-Palestine 2-state solution

In a significant move at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Nigeria, alongside 141 other countries, endorsed the New York Declaration supporting a two-State solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict on Friday.

The decision, met with resounding applause in the UN General Assembly Hall, reaffirmed global commitment to a peaceful resolution.

The New York Declaration, a product of an international conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia in July, outlines a clear path toward peace.

French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont emphasized that the declaration provides “a single roadmap to deliver the two-State solution,” including an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the creation of a viable, sovereign Palestinian State.

The roadmap also demands the disarmament of Hamas, its exclusion from Gaza’s governance, normalization of ties between Israel and Arab nations, and robust security guarantees.

The resolution backing the declaration was supported by 142 of the 193 UN Member States.

However, Israel, joined by Argentina, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, and the United States, voted against it, while 12 countries abstained.

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon criticized the declaration, calling it a “one-sided” move that undermines the UN’s credibility and empowers Hamas, stating, “Hamas is the biggest winner of any endorsement here today.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the urgency of the two-State solution, declaring, “The central question for Middle East peace is implementation of the two-State solution, where two independent, sovereign, democratic States – Israel and Palestine – live side-by-side in peace and security.”

The conference, set to resume later this month, comes amid escalating tensions in Gaza and fading prospects for peace. (NAN)