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Several Arab nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, are demanding that Hamas lay down its arms and agree to a two-state solution as the terror group’s war with Israel rages.
The entire Arab League, the European Union and 17 other countries backed the “New York Declaration” on Tuesday, during a conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
The declaration, which was obtained and published by the Times of Israel, calls for the unification of Gaza and the West Bank under the control of the Palestinian Authority and for “the end of armed group control and the dismantlement of their military capabilities,” likely referring to Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups.
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“In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State,” the declaration states.
Additionally, it demands that Israel issue a commitment to a two-state solution that includes a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long rejected the proposition of a two-state solution, often citing security concerns.
The document emphasizes that “only a political solution” can bring about peace, security and the end of the bloody decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The nations who signed onto the declaration are looking to “[empower] a sovereign and economically viable State of Palestine, living side-by-side, in peace and security with Israel.”
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Regarding the war in Gaza, the declaration is clear in saying that it “must end now” and that “Hamas must free all hostages.” Furthermore, it calls for the return of remains, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The declaration expresses support for the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., all of which have been working with both sides of the war to secure a lasting peace agreement.
According to the declaration, following the ceasefire, a transitional committee would be established to “operate in Gaza under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority.”
The document also condemns both the Oct. 7 massacre and Israel’s conduct during the war:
“We condemn the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians on the 7th of October. We also condemn the attacks by Israel against civilians in Gaza and civilian infrastructure, siege and starvation, which have resulted in a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis.”
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Israel, however, did not respond well to the declaration, saying it would not back down from its goal of eliminating Hamas.
“No token recognition and no U.N. resolution will change the basic fact that there are those in the world who fight terrorists and extremist forces and then there are those who turn a blind eye to them or resort to appeasement,” Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement. “We will do whatever is necessary to bring home the hostages and defeat Hamas.”
The U.S. balked at the conference, saying it was “unproductive and ill-timed.”
“This is a publicity stunt that comes in the middle of delicate diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Far from promoting peace, the conference will prolong the war, embolden Hamas, and reward its obstruction and undermine real-world efforts to achieve peace,” State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement. “The United States will not participate in this insult but will continue to lead real-world efforts to end the fighting and deliver a permanent peace.”
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