Palestinian Foreign Minister highlights vision for a future state, emphasizing gender equality and upholding legal standards
The international community is gearing up for a significant diplomatic event aimed at advancing the long-standing goal of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. The United Nations Conference, scheduled for July 28-30, 2025, in New York, is a crucial step in the ongoing efforts towards a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question.
The conference, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, is grounded in UNGA resolution ES-10/24 of September 2024 and is intended to emphasize the Palestinian right to self-determination under international law. The conference aims to address the unlawful Israeli presence in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT), as declared by a 2024 International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion.
Palestinian advocates, such as the Palestinian Foreign Minister, Varsen Aghabekian-Shaheen, have emphasized the enforcement of international law and the realization of Palestinian rights, including the right of return and an end to occupation and apartheid practices imposed by Israel. The Palestinian Authority, represented by figures like Minister Aghabekian-Shaheen, has highlighted ending Israel's unlawful occupation, lifting humanitarian blockades, and addressing alleged ongoing genocide and apartheid as prerequisites for progress towards peace.
The United States, while remaining a pivotal player, has shown limitations in Security Council actions. For instance, the US vetoed a permanent ceasefire resolution in Gaza, and its diplomatic stance has often been contentious. However, the US diplomatic stance historically aligns with supporting Israel's security while publicly endorsing a two-state solution.
The war in Gaza, which started in October 2024 in response to a Hamas terror attack, has further complicated the already complex regional situation. Notably, Saudi Arabia was close to formally normalizing relations with Israel days before the attack, adding another layer to the intricate web of political and military dynamics in the region.
Despite these challenges, the broad international community still supports the principle of a two-state solution, as reflected in multiple UN initiatives and widespread declarations. Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, stress that any diplomatic efforts, including the UN conference, prioritize enforcement of international law, particularly to end practices they classify as genocide, apartheid, and illegal occupation.
Minister Aghabekian-Shaheen, a Christian woman of Armenian origins, believes a Palestinian state will materialize and Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia will be crucial in pushing for it. She has also claimed that a potential Palestinian state would be pluralistic, with a place for women.
The Palestinian Authority's first female foreign minister has acknowledged that corruption within the PA is being addressed. This acknowledgement, along with her commitment to upholding international law, highlights her dedication to ensuring a contiguous, Palestinian state with the Palestinian Authority in control of both Gaza and the West Bank.
As the July 2025 UN conference approaches, the success of these efforts depends heavily on concrete action at the conference and subsequent enforcement of international law principles. The conference represents an important diplomatic moment aiming to refocus efforts on peace, and the international community will be watching closely to see how the two-state solution progresses.
[1] Source: UNGA resolution ES-10/24 (2024) [2] Source: Amnesty International Report 2024-2025 [3] Source: Reuters, "US Strikes Against Iran Attributed to Escalation of Israel-Hamas Conflict," June 2025 [4] Source: UN News, "International Community Reiterates Support for Two-State Solution," June 2025
- The international community is preparing for a significant diplomatic event focused on the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, taking place from July 28-30, 2025, in New York.
- This United Nations Conference is a crucial step in the ongoing efforts towards a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question.
- Co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, the conference is grounded in UNGA resolution ES-10/24 of September 2024.
- The conference underscores the Palestinian right to self-determination under international law.
- Its primary goal is to address the unlawful Israeli presence in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT), as declared by a 2024 International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion.
- Palestinian advocates, such as Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian-Shaheen, are emphasizing the enforcement of international law and the realization of Palestinian rights.
- Ending Israel's unlawful occupation, lifting humanitarian blockades, and addressing alleged ongoing genocide and apartheid are prerequisites for progress towards peace, as outlined by Palestinian Authority figures like Minister Aghabekian-Shaheen.
- The US, while remaining a vital player, has shown limitations in Security Council actions, with a vetoed permanent ceasefire resolution in Gaza and a contentious diplomatic stance.
- The US diplomatic stance historically endorses a two-state solution while simultaneously supporting Israel's security.
- The war in Gaza, which started in October 2024, has further complicated the regional situation, with significant political and military dynamics.
- Broad international support for the two-state solution is still present, as demonstrated by numerous UN initiatives and widespread declarations.
- Human rights organizations, like Amnesty International, prioritize the enforcement of international law in any diplomatic efforts, aiming to end genocide, apartheid, and illegal occupation.
- Minister Aghabekian-Shaheen, the first female foreign minister of the Palestinian Authority, believes a Palestinian state will materialize with Saudi Arabia playing a crucial role.
- She is optimistic about the establishment of a pluralistic Palestinian state with a place for women.
- Corruption within the Palestinian Authority is being addressed, according to Minister Aghabekian-Shaheen, who is committed to ensuring a contiguous, Palestinian state with the Palestinian Authority in control of both Gaza and the West Bank.
- As the July 2025 UN conference approaches, concrete action at the conference and the subsequent enforcement of international law principles are vital to the success of these efforts.
- The conference signifies an important diplomatic moment aiming to refocus efforts on peace, with the international community keenly observing the progress of the two-state solution.
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