Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron announced on June 14, 2025, that the high-level UN conference on a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians—originally set to convene in New York from June 17 to 20—has been postponed because of escalating tensions across the Middle East.
Macron, who co-chairs the event alongside Saudi Arabia, explained that logistical and security constraints, compounded by the recent Israel-Iran exchanges and the inability of some Palestinian delegates to attend, made it impossible to proceed as planned. He emphasized that the gathering, hosted by the UN General Assembly, will open on June 17 merely to agree to its suspension, with all 193 UN members invited to participate in that initial session.
Originally envisioned as a forum to reinvigorate the stalled peace process, the conference aimed to broaden international recognition of a demilitarized Palestinian state—one that acknowledges Israel’s right to security and excludes Hamas leadership. Over 145 UN member states already recognize Palestinian statehood, which Palestinians define as encompassing Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem as its capital.
Macron reiterated France’s commitment to eventual Palestinian recognition, stating that the conference would be reconvened “as soon as possible” in coordination with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also noted that France’s military deployed in the region stands ready to assist regional partners, including Israel, without participating in any offensive operations against Iran.
The postponement underscores the interlinked nature of the Israel-Iran conflict, the war in Gaza, and broader regional stability. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has rejected the idea of a Palestinian state, declined to engage with the conference, and Israeli officials previously intercepted an aid vessel bound for Gaza. Amid blocked humanitarian corridors and mounting civilian distress, the delay signals both the fragility of diplomatic channels and the deep divisions complicating any revival of peace talks.
