The UN High-Level conference on Palestinian statehood planned for 17-20 June in New York was postponed at the last minute – indefinitely – due to the escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict. In the lead-up to the conference, the Trump Administration was highly-critical of the conference (which is intended to “implement” Palestinian statehood), and especially of France’s intention to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state. In mid-June the Administration issued a cable to all UN member states calling on them to boycott the conference. According to Reuters the cable stated:
“We are urging governments not to participate in the conference, which we view as counterproductive to ongoing, life-saving efforts to end the war in Gaza and free hostages. The United States opposes any steps that would unilaterally recognise a conjectural Palestinian state, which adds significant legal and political obstacles to the eventual resolution of the conflict and could coerce Israel during a war, thereby supporting its enemies.”
The conference was called by the UN General Assembly in 2024, so the US, France and Saudi Arabia cannot unilaterally cancel it. So far it is unknown if and when the conference will be rescheduled.
In the meantime, there are reports that the US and Israel have reached an agreement that Israel will recognize a Palestinian state (subject to reform of the Palestinian Authority), and US will recognize partial Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria (the “West Bank”). All of this is likely connected with US-led negotiations with Saudi Arabia, Syria and perhaps other Muslim states to expand the Abraham Accords (agreements in which Muslim states normalize their relations with Israel – so far “Abraham Accords” have been signed by UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan).
