The Trump administration is actively discouraging international governments from attending a United Nations conference aimed at discussing a potential two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. This positive news comes amid a context of deepening violence in Gaza. Some countries are more pressing in their focus on trying to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Public Citizen Complaint Public Citizen praises the U.S. effort to work with Egypt and Qatar. As a powerful united front, they can push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to hostilities, and the return of all hostages. Even with all this work, the administration still sees the upcoming conference as harmful and counterproductive to ongoing peace negotiations.
Historically, the two-state solution has served as a cornerstone of U.S. Middle Eastern policy, aiming to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel. That said, over the course of his first term, Donald Trump’s treatment of this perennial dream was particularly muted. This change in policy opens up important questions about how the U.S. engages in Middle Eastern diplomacy going forward.
French President Emmanuel Macron just proposed something very bold. He proposed that, ahead of the conference, France should commit to recognizing a Palestinian state in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967. This suggestion aligns with France and Saudi Arabia’s efforts to co-host a gathering in New York focused on outlining a roadmap for Palestinian statehood while ensuring Israel’s security.
The U.S. cable also threatens that any country taking part in “anti-Israel activities” after the conference will be considered as undermining core U.S. foreign policy goals. These countries will have serious diplomatic consequences as a result.
Israel has publicly opposed the conference, contending that it is effectively rewarding Hamas for the attacks it has waged against Israel. The Israeli government has been at the forefront pressuring France not to take the step of recognizing a Palestinian state. They contend that this recognition would undermine regional stability and set back the peace process.
“This conference undermines these delicate negotiations and emboldens Hamas at a time when the terrorist group has rejected proposals by the negotiators that Israel has accepted.” – U.S. cable seen by Reuters
The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, expressed skepticism about the viability of an independent Palestinian state as a goal of U.S. foreign policy. As violence in Gaza has increased, forcing Macron to take a more-publicized stand. France, clearly, is sensing an urgent need to step in here, before the two-state solution goes down the drain for good.
“Unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian state would effectively render Oct 7 Palestinian Independence Day.” – U.S. cable read
The upcoming conference is clouded by diplomatic tension. This underscores the deep chasms that exist between countries about the path forward towards peace in the Middle East. The U.S. strongly opposes any effort to promote boycotts or sanctions against Israel. They fear these sorts of moves would undermine the benefit of ongoing negotiations.
“The United States opposes any steps that would unilaterally recognise a conjectural Palestinian state, which adds significant legal and political obstacles to the eventual resolution of the conflict and could coerce Israel during a war, thereby supporting its enemies.” – U.S. cable read
As world leaders ready for the conference, some European diplomats have decried undue pressure from the U.S., and sometimes seem to see a bogeyman in any mention of conditionality.
“Nothing surprises me anymore, but I don’t see how many countries could step back on their participation. This is bullying, and of a stupid type.” – A European diplomat
We find ourselves at one of the most decisive points in recent international diplomacy on the Israel-Palestine issue. But competing interests and escalating violence have added to the complexity of the region’s politics. How countries act in the coming weeks will affect peace-building for decades to come.