A Call to Action: Implementing the Two-State Solution Amidst Conflict and Uncertainty

In a bid to accelerate the implementation of the two-state solution, United Nations Secretary-General has emphasized the urgent need for political will, courageous leadership, and truth in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has endured for generations, claiming countless lives, destroying futures, and destabilizing the region and the world.

Key Takeaways:

• The two-state solution is farther than ever before, and the persistence of the conflict is not inevitable.
• The recent 7 October terror attacks by Hamas and the taking of hostages are deplorable and cannot be justified.
• The obliteration of Gaza, including the starvation of the population, killing of tens of thousands of civilians, and further fragmentation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, is intolerable and must stop.
• Unilateral actions that would forever undermine the two-state solution, such as the creeping annexation of the occupied West Bank and the demolition of homes and forced displacement of populations, are unacceptable and must be stopped.
• The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a systemic reality that is dismantling the building blocks of peace in the Middle East.
• The two-state solution remains the only framework rooted in international law, endorsed by the United Nations, and supported by the international community.
• Israel, Palestine, and others will need to make difficult decisions to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, which is essential for peace across the wider Middle East.
• Bold and principled leadership will be required on all sides to encourage and support the effort.

Statistics:

• Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed in Gaza.
• The population of Gaza has been subjected to starvation.
• The occupied West Bank has been subject to the relentless expansion of settlements and settler violence against Palestinians.
• The Knesset declaration voted last week expressed support for annexing the occupied West Bank.
• The extinguishing of the two-state solution would forever undermine this framework.
• An estimated 2.9 million Palestinians live in the occupied West Bank.
• An estimated 2 million Palestinians live in Gaza.

Sources:

• United Nations Secretary-General: Address at the international conference on the implementation of the two-State solution.

Note: The exact date of the conference is not mentioned in the provided text.