France and Saudi Arabia are seeking to revitalize the push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during this year’s United Nations General Assembly. The ongoing war in Gaza has intensified calls for a new roadmap toward Palestinian statehood in territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 Mideast war. Recently, Britain, Canada, and Australia formally recognized a Palestinian state, joining nearly 150 other countries. France is expected to follow suit at the General Assembly this week.

However, these efforts face significant challenges, particularly from the United States and Israel. The U.S. has barred Palestinian officials from attending the General Assembly, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened unilateral actions, including the potential annexation of parts of the West Bank, which could further hinder Palestinian aspirations for independence.

The international community has long viewed the establishment of a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza as essential for resolving the conflict, which has persisted for over a century. Advocates argue that a two-state solution would allow Israel to maintain its identity as a democracy with a Jewish majority. In contrast, the current situation, where Jewish Israelis enjoy full rights while Palestinians live under varying degrees of Israeli control, has been criticized by major human rights organizations as akin to apartheid.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgency of a two-state solution, stating, "Israel must understand that the one-state solution, with the subjugation of the Palestinian people without rights — that is absolutely intolerable. Without a two-state solution, there will be no peace in the Middle East."

Peace negotiations have repeatedly stalled since they began in the early 1990s, often due to violence and the expansion of Israeli settlements. No significant talks have occurred since Netanyahu returned to power in 2009. Israel has annexed East Jerusalem, which it considers part of its capital, and has encouraged the growth of Jewish settlements in Palestinian areas. Currently, over 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the occupied West Bank, where approximately 3 million Palestinians are governed by Israeli military rule, with limited autonomy granted to the Palestinian Authority.

The situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly, with Israel's military actions resulting in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and displacing around 90% of the territory's 2 million residents. Much of Gaza is now uninhabitable, with some areas facing famine conditions. Netanyahu's government has historically opposed Palestinian statehood, and the previous U.S. administration showed little interest in reviving peace talks, instead suggesting the relocation of Gaza's population to other countries.

In response to the ongoing conflict, France and Saudi Arabia have proposed a phased plan to establish a demilitarized Palestinian state with international support. This plan includes an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of hostages, and a complete Israeli withdrawal. Hamas would be required to transfer power to a politically independent committee under the Palestinian Authority and disarm, although it has yet to agree to this condition.

The international community would assist the Palestinian Authority in rebuilding Gaza and governing the territories, potentially with foreign peacekeepers. The plan also envisions regional peace and integration, which may include Saudi normalization of relations with Israel. A nonbinding resolution endorsing this initiative was approved by the U.N. earlier this month.

Despite these efforts, the U.S. and Israel argue that recognizing a Palestinian state would reward Hamas and complicate efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages. Recent ceasefire talks have collapsed, with Israel conducting strikes against Hamas negotiators in Qatar. The U.S. has distanced itself from negotiations, attributing the breakdown to Hamas's actions.

Netanyahu has framed international recognition of Palestinian statehood as a direct threat to Israel. He stated, "It is clear that if unilateral actions are taken against us, it simply invites unilateral actions on our part." His government, along with far-right coalition partners, has long sought to annex significant portions of the West Bank, which would severely limit the feasibility of a viable Palestinian state.

The French-Saudi plan does not address several contentious issues, including final borders, the fate of Israeli settlements, the return of Palestinian refugees, security arrangements, the status of Jerusalem, and the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. It also relies heavily on the Palestinian Authority, which faces widespread distrust among Palestinians who view its leadership as corrupt and autocratic. The plan calls for elections within a year, but President Mahmoud Abbas has previously postponed votes when his party appeared likely to lose.

Hamas, which won the last national elections in 2006, would be excluded from the political process unless it disarms and recognizes Israel. As a result, the proposed plan may ultimately join the ranks of previous failed peace initiatives, leaving Israel in control of the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, while millions of Palestinians remain without basic rights.