The High-Level Conference on the Two-State Solution and Peace in the Middle East, held in New York on July 28-29, 2025, has marked a significant moment in international diplomacy, with world leaders gathering to address the implementation of international law regarding Palestine.
Co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, the conference brought together representatives from over 50 countries to discuss concrete measures following the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion declaring Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory unlawful.
Diplomatic Momentum Building
The conference represents a coordinated international effort to move beyond rhetoric toward actionable diplomatic measures. French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led calls for the international community to fulfill its legal obligations under international law.
Key diplomatic developments emerging from the conference include:
Multilateral Sanctions Framework: Several countries announced coordinated measures to pressure Israel to comply with international law. The UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Slovenia, and Norway have already implemented targeted sanctions against Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Trade and Investment Restrictions: Nine European Union governments have formally requested the EU Commission to introduce a comprehensive ban on trade and business with illegal Israeli settlements. Ireland has proposed implementing unilateral restrictions pending broader EU action.
Arms Transfer Limitations: On July 16, twelve countries committed to measures to "break the ties of complicity with Israel's campaign," including preventing arms transfers to Israel. This represents a significant shift in international military cooperation policies.
Two-State Solution Framework: The conference reaffirmed international commitment to the two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state.
Regional Implications
The conference has generated significant regional diplomatic activity. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit emphasized that the gathering represents "the international community's renewed commitment to Palestinian rights and self-determination."
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has announced it will coordinate with conference participants to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy for the ICJ ruling.
European Union Divisions
The conference highlighted ongoing divisions within the European Union. While countries like France, Portugal, Ireland, and Belgium support stronger measures against Israel, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands have taken more cautious positions.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell stated that the bloc will "analyze the implications of the ICJ ruling on EU policy" but stopped short of announcing immediate measures.
US Position
The United States abstained from full participation in the conference, maintaining its position that a political settlement can only be achieved through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. However, US officials acknowledged the "legitimate concerns" raised by conference participants.
Next Steps
The conference concluded with a commitment to reconvene at the heads of state level during the UN General Assembly in September 2025, where more concrete implementation measures are expected to be announced.