Can the Israel-Palestine Conflict End With a Two-State Solution?

France and Saudi Arabia Push for a Two-State Solution Amid Ongoing Conflict

As world leaders gather at the United Nations General Assembly, France and Saudi Arabia are working to bring renewed attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The ongoing war in Gaza has intensified calls for a two-state solution, which many believe is the only viable path to lasting peace. This effort includes a new roadmap for Palestinian statehood, backed by several Western nations that have already recognized a Palestinian state.

Several countries, including Britain, Canada, and Australia, have formally acknowledged a Palestinian state. These moves align with the stance of nearly 150 other nations that have already recognized Palestine. France is expected to follow suit during this year’s General Assembly. However, these efforts face significant resistance from the United States and Israel, both of which strongly oppose the creation of a Palestinian state.

The U.S. has taken a firm stance against Palestinian statehood, even blocking Palestinian officials from attending the General Assembly. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed strong opposition to the idea, warning of potential unilateral actions, such as annexing parts of the West Bank. Such steps would further complicate the prospects for a viable Palestinian state.

For decades, the international community has viewed the establishment of a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza as the only way to resolve the conflict. This approach would allow Israel to maintain its identity as a Jewish state while granting Palestinians full rights and autonomy. Critics argue that the current status quo, where Israelis enjoy full citizenship while Palestinians live under varying degrees of control, resembles an apartheid system.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently emphasized the importance of a two-state solution, stating that without it, there can be no lasting peace in the Middle East. The idea has been a cornerstone of peace talks since the early 1990s, but negotiations have repeatedly stalled due to violence and the expansion of Israeli settlements. No substantive talks have occurred since Netanyahu returned to power in 2009.

Israel continues to assert its claim over East Jerusalem and has encouraged the growth of Jewish settlements in areas considered part of the West Bank. Over 500,000 settlers live in the occupied territory, alongside 3 million Palestinians who reside under Israeli military rule. In Gaza, the situation is dire, with hundreds of thousands displaced and much of the region rendered uninhabitable after months of intense fighting.

Despite the challenges, France and Saudi Arabia have proposed a phased plan to end the conflict. This plan includes an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of hostages, and a complete Israeli withdrawal. Hamas would hand power to a politically independent committee under the Palestinian Authority, though it has not yet agreed to lay down its arms. International support would then focus on rebuilding Gaza and governing the territories, potentially with foreign peacekeepers.

A nonbinding resolution endorsing the "New York Declaration" was recently approved by the 193-member UN body. However, the U.S. and Israel remain skeptical, arguing that recognizing a Palestinian state could reward Hamas and make it harder to secure a lasting ceasefire. Recent attempts at negotiations have collapsed, with Israel carrying out strikes targeting Hamas negotiators and the U.S. withdrawing from talks.

The French-Saudi plan avoids some of the most contentious issues, such as final borders, the fate of settlements, and the status of Jerusalem. It also relies heavily on the Palestinian Authority, which many Palestinians view as corrupt and undemocratic. Israel accuses the group of not being fully committed to peace, despite recent reforms.

The plan calls for Palestinian elections within a year, but President Mahmoud Abbas has delayed previous votes when his party faced potential losses. Hamas, which won the last national elections in 2006, would be excluded unless it gives up its weapons and recognizes Israel. Given the history of failed accords, many fear this initiative may end up like past efforts, leaving Israel in control of the land and millions of Palestinians without basic rights.