• UN conference supports a two-state solution amidst ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
• The US and Israel boycotted the conference, labeling it unproductive.
• France plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

At a United Nations conference aimed at promoting a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, high-level ministers gathered to push for a consensus on ending decades of conflict. However, the event was notably boycotted by both the United States and Israel, as they criticized the meeting's purpose and timing, labeling it unproductive, according to Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

The conference, involving various ministers from 193 member states and hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, was first envisioned in a U.N. General Assembly resolution from last September, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized the importance of a clear roadmap for Palestinian statehood while ensuring Israel's security, stating, "We must ensure that it does not become another exercise in well-meaning rhetoric," echoing sentiments voiced by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the conference.

The backdrop of this significant meeting is the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas, which continues to inflict profound humanitarian consequences in Gaza, where Israeli military actions have reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 60,000 Palestinians. This figure highlights the critical humanitarian situation, as noted by various health authorities, and has been characterized by some groups as genocidal, according to Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

As part of the outcomes sought by the conference, the "New York Declaration" proposed a phased plan for establishing a demilitarized Palestine alongside Israel, which is backed by multiple countries forming working groups to facilitate the initiative. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly in September, a move welcomed by Palestinian officials but criticized by Israel, according to Los Angeles Times and Al Jazeera.

Despite opposition, the ongoing commitment to a two-state solution reflects the international community's desire for a resolution to one of the longest-standing conflicts. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa urged all nations to recognize the state of Palestine without delay, asserting that "the path to peace starts with recognizing the state of Palestine," highlighting the urgency felt by leaders in the region, as reported by Reuters and Los Angeles Times.