Watan-Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, stated that the Arab Group at the UN will not accept the continued “paralysis” of the Security Council and UN bodies. Speaking during a press conference at UN headquarters in New York, Mansour outlined current diplomatic steps, including a draft resolution initiated by Algeria—currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council—aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and enabling humanitarian aid delivery.
Mansour also focused on the upcoming international conference led by Saudi Arabia and France, set to begin on June 17 at the UN General Assembly. The high-level conference is expected to include announcements of recognition of the State of Palestine by several countries, including Western nations, and renewed support for a two-state solution. The UN General Assembly is also expected to vote next week on a resolution related to Gaza humanitarian aid and halting the war, while a similar vote may occur this week in the Security Council.
On the goals of the international conference, Mansour said an agreed-upon framework outlines the event’s purpose. Eight roundtables will focus on achieving practical outcomes. He stated:”We expect member states to announce, before and during the conference, concrete actions, including formal recognition of Palestine by countries that haven’t yet done so, and substantial financial commitments to strengthen Palestinian institutions.”
Mansour added:”We anticipate steps like those taken by Chile, including cutting ties with Israeli settlements, and measures to halt arms shipments to Israel, especially those used against Palestinian children. We also expect efforts to shorten and end the illegal occupation and make the two-state solution a reality.”
The conference is expected to draw high-level diplomatic participation, including heads of state and foreign ministers. It remains unclear if President Mahmoud Abbas will attend.
Mansour emphasized that the Palestinian Authority expects this to be a turning point:
“This won’t be just another conference. It will be a defining moment in ending the illegal occupation, as reinforced by the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion.”
He explained the ICJ found that the occupation deprives Palestinians of self-determination, enforces apartheid, seizes land unlawfully, and builds illegal settlements—concluding it must end immediately. The General Assembly’s decision to convene the conference mandates practical steps to end the occupation within a year.
In response to a question from Al-Quds Al-Arabi about claims that some Western states are tying recognition of Palestine to normalization with Israel, Mansour clarified:”Such linkages were raised in preparatory discussions. However, leading Arab states have made it clear these are separate issues. Recognition of Palestine is a sovereign national decision. Normalization with Israel, as outlined in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, must follow the end of occupation and full Palestinian statehood.”
He reiterated that many Islamic and Arab world conferences support this stance. He also warned against countries attempting to “attach a price” to recognition, saying this issue is not part of the conference agenda.
Mansour concluded by noting Israel’s ongoing rejection of the two-state solution and affirmed:”The independence of Palestine is the necessary gateway to peace and normalization in the Middle East. This is the central message of the conference. We hope it marks a decisive turning point toward ending Israeli occupation and implementing the Arab Peace Initiative, paving the way for a new Middle East where all—including the Palestinian people—live as equals.”
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