NEW YORK: Dozens of ministers will gather at the United Nations on Monday for a delayed conference to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, but the US and Israel are boycotting the event.
The 193-member UN General Assembly decided in September last year that such a conference would be held in 2025. Hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, the conference was postponed in June after Israel attacked Iran.
The conference aims to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel’s security.
The conference comes as a 22-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza still rages.
The UN has long endorsed a vision of two states living side by side within secure and recognised borders. Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, all territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war with neighbouring Arab states.
Germany says it is prepared to increase pressure on Israel over Gaza
The German government said on Monday that it is prepared to take steps to put pressure on Israel with regards to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but did not give details on what they could be.
“The chancellor was very clear in the phone conversation with the Israeli prime minister … that the federal government is prepared to increase the pressure if progress is not made,” a spokesperson said.
“In principle we are prepared to take further steps, which is also the purpose of this afternoon’s security meeting,” he said, referring to a meeting of the German security cabinet.
