United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued stark warning at Paris-Riyadh organised conference on Palestine in New York on Monday, declaring the two-state solution more distant than ever despite being the only viable path to peace.
Addressing delegates from open eyes to harsh realities, he condemned both Hamas October 7 terror attacks and Israel ongoing bombardment of Gaza while denouncing West Bank annexation efforts as illegal land grabs.
In a statement, Guterres described a systemic collapse of peacebuilding efforts: tens of thousands of dead in Gaza, forced displacements, unchecked settler violence, and demographic engineering undermining Palestinian statehood prospects.
He rejected justifications for civilian starvation and home demolitions, demanding immediate cessation of unilateral actions eroding the pre-1967 borders framework.
The conference marked critical juncture to transform rhetoric into irreversible progress, Guterres urged, emphasising internationally endorsed parameters – sovereign Palestinian and Israeli states within secure borders, shared Jerusalem capital, and full UN membership.
While acknowledging difficult compromises ahead, he framed bold leadership as non-negotiable for regional stability.
The appeal faced immediate pushback from Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed the summit as counterproductive theatre, arguing it rewards Hamas terrorism and undermines active hostage negotiations.
Washington accused organisers of undermining active ceasefire negotiations and emboldening Hamas through premature statehood discussions.
“This conference rewards terrorism while hostages remain captive,” read a statement, reaffirming US commitment to backchannel diplomacy over symbolic gestures.
His statement highlighted America’s boycott of the event, contrasting it with behind-the-scenes diplomacy efforts.
French President Emmanuel Macron recent Palestinian statehood recognition drew particular criticism for allegedly emboldening Hamas obstructionism.
With Gaza humanitarian crisis deepening and West Bank tensions escalating, the UN chief’s warnings underscored growing global alarm over conflict spill over risks.
The diplomatic divide leaves the two-state solution caught between escalating violence and paralysed negotiations.
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