Compromise plan sees Arab states condemning 7 October attacks in return for clear UN support for a Palestinian state
The United Nations general assembly is to back a Hamas-free government for Palestine as part of a carefully crafted compromise that sees Arab states go further in condemning its October 2023 attack on Israel in return for clear support for a Palestinian state.
The aim is to show how Israel and the US are isolated in opposing a long-term solution to the Gaza war, and how countries such as Germany, a strong supporter of Israel, are backing a solution in which the Palestinian Authority governs the West Bank and Gaza.
The general assembly vote on Friday will take the form of an endorsement of the so-called New York declaration, a statement crafted by France and Saudi Arabia, and signed by 17 states in July.
When passed, it will contain some of the sharpest criticism of Hamas ever endorsed by the UN. The text states: “We condemn the attacks perpetrated on 7 October by Hamas against civilians,” and “Hamas must release all hostages” held in Gaza.
