Global summit pushes Palestinian statehood as U.S. and Israel isolate themselves

Department of Strategic Research, Studies and International Relations 23-09-2025

A high-level summit on the Palestinian question will be held in New York on Monday, just one day before the official opening of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting, jointly organized by France and Saudi Arabia, will put renewed focus on the decades-long demand for Palestinian statehood and on Israel’s ongoing war against Gaza.

The summit comes at a critical moment, with more countries formally recognizing the State of Palestine, despite Washington and Tel Aviv working aggressively to block such efforts. France is expected to announce its own recognition, while Belgium and other European nations are weighing similar steps. This follows last week’s landmark decisions by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal to formally recognize Palestine, historic moves that challenge U.S. and Israeli obstructionism.

Growing recognition, growing isolation

The expansion of diplomatic recognition has left Israel and the United States increasingly isolated. Both have chosen to boycott the upcoming summit, dismissing it as a distraction. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, went so far as to label the event a “circus,” repeating the long-worn Israeli claim that acknowledging Palestinian statehood somehow “rewards terrorism.”

Inside Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under enormous domestic pressure. Reports in Israeli media suggest his far-right coalition is even considering partial or total annexation of the occupied West Bank as a retaliatory measure. Such a move would be catastrophic for the prospect of peace, yet Netanyahu is still reliant on U.S. backing to proceed. His visit to New York for the UNGA will likely be centered on securing political cover from Washington.

Reviving the two-state roadmap

The United Nations has expressed cautious optimism that this summit could re-energize the stalled peace process. UN officials say discussions will build on the “New York Declaration” adopted earlier this month, which called for concrete, time-bound, and irreversible steps toward realizing a two-state solution. That declaration, the outcome of a July conference also hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, demanded a ceasefire in Gaza, unimpeded humanitarian access, and the eventual establishment of an independent Palestine.

The declaration, while echoing Western rhetoric by condemning Hamas, nonetheless reflected an overwhelming global consensus: the current situation, characterized by Israeli military aggression, occupation, and blockade, is unsustainable and morally indefensible.

French President Emmanuel Macron will personally lead discussions at the summit, while Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to join remotely. Their cooperation underscores the widening international alignment in support of Palestinian statehood, despite American and Israeli resistance.

Israel’s aggressive posture

Far from engaging constructively, Israeli leaders have instead lashed out at European partners. Netanyahu has openly accused Macron of fueling “anti-Semitic fires” in France, while Israeli officials are threatening to retaliate diplomatically by downgrading ties with Paris. Such measures could include closing the French consulate in Jerusalem, expelling French diplomats, or scaling back intelligence cooperation.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Israel has continued to escalate its military campaign in Gaza. Its air force and artillery have unleashed heavy bombardments across the densely populated enclave, killing thousands of civilians and wiping out entire families. On Sunday alone, at least 25 members of a single Palestinian family were killed when Israeli aircraft struck residential homes in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood. The Israeli army has attempted to justify such atrocities by claiming they were “targeting terrorists.”

Regional responses

Qatar, which has been mediating indirect talks between Hamas and Israel, welcomed the surge in recognition of Palestine by Western countries. Doha itself has come under attack from Israeli airstrikes in recent weeks, despite its active diplomatic role. The international community has condemned Israel’s bombardment of a mediator state as reckless and destabilizing.

The accelerating recognition of Palestine represents a major diplomatic setback for both Washington and Tel Aviv. Countries like China, Russia, and India have long emphasized the importance of a just and lasting peace that guarantees the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. These powers continue to call for an end to unilateral annexations, blockades, and military operations that violate international law.

A turning point?

The boycott by the United States and Israel may highlight their declining influence rather than their strength. While Washington persists in shielding Israel diplomatically and militarily, its traditional allies are no longer willing to ignore the devastation in Gaza or the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.

For many in the Global South and beyond, the recognition of Palestine is not merely symbolic; it is a rejection of the double standards that have long dominated international politics. As the world’s balance of power shifts, the collective voice demanding Palestinian statehood is growing louder.

Monday’s summit may not resolve the conflict overnight, but it represents a significant shift in momentum. For the first time in years, the international community, led by powers willing to challenge U.S. dominance, is moving towards concrete steps that affirm Palestinian sovereignty. Whether Washington and Tel Aviv like it or not, the tide of global opinion is turning against their policies of occupation, siege, and war.