By Afshain Afzal

The UN General Assembly today, on the 12^th of September 2025, voted in favour "The New York Declaration," a resolution that recognizes the Independent State of Palestine. It is a day to rejoice but with a heavy heart, remembering the worst genocide of the Palestinian Muslims and their continuing miseries. With a lot of if and buts that need to be still worked out to ensure the rights of Palestinians are guaranteed and hidden clauses are properly addressed, todays voting will lead to a follow up in the upcoming UN summit co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France on 22 September in New York, in which many nations have promised to formally recognize the Palestinian as a independent and sovereign state.

The text was adopted by 142 votes in favor, 10 against and 12 abstentions. The document is formally called The New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. The declaration condemns attacks by Israel against civilians in Gaza and civilian infrastructure, siege and starvation, which have resulted in a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis. It stresses “there is no justification for breaches in grave violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, and stressed the need for accountability”. The declaration also condemns the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians inside Israel on the 7th of October and demanded that Hamas must free all hostages.

The Declaration provides a scheme leading to independence of Palestine as a sovereign state, where all Israeli forces will be withdrawn to end the war and Hamas is required to end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support. A Transitional Administrative Committee will be established to operate under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority while the security responsibilities have been assigned to the Palestinian Authority alone. The Declaration provides Two-State solution on the basis of the 1967 lines, including Jerusalem that involves Israel and Palestine living side-by-side, in peace and with full regional integration and mutual recognition.

As regard to humanitarian assistance the Declaration assures unconditional and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance in coordination with the UN and ICRC and in line with humanitarian principles engaging the UN, its agencies, international organizations including UNRWA that will be later handed over to Palestinian institutions. The Declaration endorses Arab-OIC reconstruction plan to allow early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, while ensuring that Palestinians remain in their land. It provides establishment of dedicated reconstruction international Trust Fund for the purpose.

Palestinian Authority has been empowered to invite a Temporary international Stabilization Mission to be mandated under the aegis of the United Nations and in line with UN principles with appropriate regional and international support including contribution of troops by member states. All look good for a movement but a lot of deliberations are required making this opportunity of peace a reality. Many thanks to the UNO, nations states, supporting Jews, Christians and Muslims around the world that made this voting success story. It is time for the US and Israel must also learn lessons and end the rivalries based on mere apprehensions and suspicions.