The 2025 United Nations General Assembly opened with a major step toward implementing a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict: recognition of the State of Palestine.
Recognition is not merely symbolic. It is a prerequisite to any eventual peace. Spain took this step in May 2024, alongside Ireland, Norway and Slovenia and now others — including Australia, Britain, Canada and Portugal — are following suit.
But there is little to celebrate. The spiral of violence unleashed by the heinous terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, continues unabated. In addition to daily massacres in Gaza and hostages still being held, instability is rising across the Middle East. Israel’s unacceptable bombing of Qatar on Sept. 9 is among the most serious challenges to international law and the United Nations Charter that the international community has seen.
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