UN Vote Reflects Global Consensus on Resolution

The spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Jamal Rushdi, stated in a statement: “The overwhelming vote in favor of the resolution reflects an increasing international consensus on the necessity to move forward with its implementation,” noting that the countries that did not vote in favor of the resolution “stand on the wrong side of history.” The “New York Declaration” was adopted by a majority of 142 votes against 10 opposing votes, with 12 countries abstaining from voting. The declaration, which consists of seven pages, is the result of discussions in July about the decades-long conflict. The adoption of the General Assembly text comes just 10 days before the anticipated summit in New York, which will be chaired by Riyadh and Paris on September 22. France and a number of other Western countries have pledged to recognize the State of Palestine as part of the push towards implementing the two-state solution.