July 30, 2025 — New York/Dublin
Ireland has formally endorsed the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, joining a broad coalition of countries calling for an end to the ongoing war in Gaza and reaffirming support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The declaration, issued at the conclusion of a high-level international conference held in New York from July 28–30, 2025, calls for immediate steps toward peace—including a ceasefire in Gaza, Israel’s withdrawal from the territory, and the unification of Palestinian governance under one authority. Co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, the conference brought together senior diplomats and representatives from around the world to revive diplomatic efforts toward lasting peace.
Countries endorsing the declaration include Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Norway, Qatar, Senegal, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the League of Arab States. The initiative represents what observers describe as an “unprecedented global consensus” around the urgency of resolving the decades-long conflict.
Key Points of the Declaration
The New York Declaration lays out a detailed framework aimed at resolving both immediate and long-term issues in the region. Among its central demands:
Immediate Ceasefire and Hostage Release: An end to hostilities in Gaza and the release of all hostages.
Israeli Withdrawal and End of Blockades: A full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the removal of blockades, with control transferred to the Palestinian Authority.
Unified Palestinian State: Recognition of Gaza as part of a unified Palestinian state alongside the West Bank.
Two-State Solution: A commitment to establishing a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel, based on pre-1967 borders and international law.
Humanitarian and Accountability Measures: Condemnation of attacks on civilians, including the actions of Hamas and the Israeli military, and support for humanitarian aid delivery.
Support for Reconstruction and Governance: Plans for a Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Cairo and further international donor efforts to rebuild institutions and infrastructure.
The declaration also supports preserving the legal status quo of religious sites in Jerusalem under Hashemite custodianship, an important regional concern.
Ireland’s Position
Ireland’s government expressed strong support for the declaration’s emphasis on human rights, mutual recognition, and international law. A government spokesperson said the country “welcomes the call for a peaceful, just, and lasting solution” and will work with international partners to support implementation.
“Ireland believes that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace and dignity,” the statement continued. “We commend the leadership shown by Saudi Arabia and France and urge all parties to engage meaningfully in this process.”
International Backing and Future Outlook
The endorsement by a wide array of countries from every region of the world reflects growing frustration over the impasse in peace talks and the continued suffering in Gaza. However, analysts warn that successful implementation will depend heavily on cooperation from the parties directly involved—something that has proven elusive in past peace initiatives.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at the closing of the conference, warned of a “breaking point” if action is not taken soon. “Without a credible path to a two-state solution, we risk entrenching a one-state reality of perpetual occupation, conflict, and inequality,” he said.
The next key milestone in this diplomatic push is expected to be the Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Cairo and follow-up discussions at the 80th UN General Assembly in September.
As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, the New York Declaration represents a renewed effort to turn international consensus into concrete action. Whether it succeeds where previous efforts have faltered remains to be seen.
Sources:
UN News
Arab News
Reuters
Wafa.ps
Government of Ireland Statement
UN Documents A/79/L.23, Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 2334 (2016)
