The United Nations General Assembly has approved a landmark resolution calling for an “irreversible” path toward the creation of a Palestinian state.
The resolution, known as the New York Declaration and sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, secured 142 votes in favour, 10 against, and 12 abstentions.
It lays out a framework for ending the war in Gaza, releasing hostages, disarming Hamas, halting Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, and advancing full UN membership for Palestine.
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Countries that voted against the measure on Friday include Israel, the United States, Argentina, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Tonga.
Abstainers were Albania, Cameroon, the Czech Republic, Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guatemala, North Macedonia, Moldova, Samoa, and South Sudan.
Palestine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision as “a resounding affirmation of the international community’s support for justice and peace.”
Israel, however, rejected it outright, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring ahead of the vote that “there will be no Palestinian state.”
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon described the outcome as “a political circus detached from reality.”
The United States also criticised the measure as “counterproductive,” insisting it undermines diplomatic channels and rewards Hamas.
The resolution follows months of escalating violence, with Israeli airstrikes continuing in Gaza and new settlement plans announced in the West Bank, raising concerns about the viability of a future Palestinian state.
A follow-up summit co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia is scheduled for September 22 in New York, where several European nations are expected to move towards formal recognition of Palestine.
For Nigeria joining 141 other nations in voting in favour, the vote aligns with its long-standing foreign policy position in support of a two-state solution.
African diplomats say the declaration underscores a growing impatience among developing nations with stalled peace efforts and highlights calls for a just resolution to the decades-long conflict.
Although non-binding, the UN resolution represents the strongest international momentum in years for Palestinian statehood.
It could also reshape diplomatic alignments if symbolic support evolves into concrete recognition and action.
