Arab nations Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have joined a landmark declaration at a United Nations conference focused on reviving a two‑state solution, urging Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. The declaration, backed by 17 countries plus the European Union and the Arab League, explicitly condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and called for an end to its governance in Gaza marking the first time such condemnation came collectively from Arab states.
The seven‑page “New York Declaration,” drafted by conference co‑hosts France and Saudi Arabia, calls for Hamas to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority under international supervision and assistance, in support of forming a sovereign, demilitarized Palestinian state living side‑by‑side with Israel. It also endorses potential deployment of foreign stabilization forces to Gaza after hostilities cease.
The conference, held July 28–29, drew participation from over 120 countries, albeit boycotted by the United States and Israel. During the talks, France’s Foreign Minister hailed the text as “historic and unprecedented,” noting the rare unity among Arab nations in condemning Hamas, backing disarmament and signaling openness to future normalization with Israel.
By contrast, the U.S. withdrew from the meeting, calling it poorly timed, while Israel dismissed it as appeasement for terrorism. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirmed opposition to a two‑state solution and rejected restoring Palestinian Authority governance over Gaza.
The declaration also calls on Israel to end its war action, lift restrictions on humanitarian aid, halt settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and acknowledge Palestinian rights including the right of return. It urges international recognition of the State of Palestine and mandates time‑bound, irreversible steps toward peace and Palestinian statehood.
