Worthy Christian News > Israel-Palestinian Conflict > U.S. Rejects U.N. Two-State Solution Conference, Calls It a “Publicity Stunt”

U.S. Rejects U.N. Two-State Solution Conference, Calls It a “Publicity Stunt”

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – The United States issued a firm rebuke Monday of a United Nations-hosted conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, calling the effort a “publicity stunt” that undermines serious diplomatic efforts and emboldens Hamas.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce released a statement denouncing the conference, which convened in New York this week with dozens of ministers from around the world. Hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, the gathering aimed to advance a two-state solution to the long-standing conflict. However, the U.S. opted not to attend.

“This is a publicity stunt that comes in the middle of delicate diplomatic efforts to end the conflict,” Bruce said. “Far from promoting peace, the conference will prolong the war, embolden Hamas, and reward its obstruction while undermining real-world efforts to achieve peace.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also sharply criticized the event, characterizing it as “a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th and a reward for terrorism.” He added that the conference “keeps hostages trapped in tunnels” and distracts from meaningful negotiations aimed at ending the violence and freeing captives held in Gaza.

The conference was approved by the UN General Assembly last year and rescheduled after a delay due to Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in June. Opening remarks were delivered by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who urged the international community to view the event as a “decisive turning point” toward ending Israel’s occupation and realizing a viable Palestinian state.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud called for a detailed roadmap that ensures both Palestinian statehood and Israel’s security, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said France would continue pressing for international recognition of a Palestinian state, echoing President Emmanuel Macron’s recent pledge to make the recognition official at the UN General Assembly in September.

That pledge was warmly received by Hamas, raising alarm in Washington. Bruce said Macron’s announcement was part of a “pattern of counterproductive gestures” that rewards Hamas’s obstruction and undermines diplomatic momentum. “These actions greatly undercut our efforts to end the suffering in Gaza, free the hostages, and move the region toward a brighter and more prosperous future,” she added.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa called on world governments to recognize a Palestinian state “without delay,” stating that “the path to peace starts with recognizing the state of Palestine and preserving it from destruction.” He told delegates: “The rights of all peoples must be respected, the sovereignty of all states must be ensured. Palestine and its people can no longer be the exception.”

The United States, along with Israel, officially boycotted the conference. Washington previously voted against the 2024 General Assembly resolution that mandated the conference, stating that it would not support initiatives that “jeopardize the prospect for a long-term, peaceful resolution.”

Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon also slammed the event, saying it “does not promote a solution, but rather deepens the illusion.” He criticized the organizers for failing to focus on freeing hostages and dismantling Hamas’s terror network.

Despite opposition from Israel and the U.S., the UN continues to back a two-state framework based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. In May 2024, the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly–143 to 9–in favor of recognizing Palestine as eligible for full UN membership, a measure previously vetoed by the U.S. in the Security Council.

While the conference pressed ahead with diplomatic declarations, the sharp rebuke from the U.S. made clear that it remains committed to alternative paths toward peace–ones that reject legitimizing terrorist actors and prioritize actionable results over symbolic gatherings.

Prophetic Significance

While many call for peace through a two-state solution, prophecy teachers often highlight a sobering warning from the book of Joel: the nations are brought to judgment because they “divided” the land (Joel 3:2) — a land God explicitly gave to the descendants of Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 26:1-6; Genesis 28:13-14; Genesis 25:10-12; Psalms 105:8-11 ) For those attuned to biblical prophecy, how this pursuit of peace unfolds carries deep and potentially dramatic prophetic significance. This is further underscored by Jesus’ command to “learn the parable of the fig tree,” widely understood as a symbol of Israel. Just as the fig tree produces early fruit in the spring and ripens fully by the fall harvest, prophecy watchers see a pattern: Israel’s modern rebirth and eventual spiritual harvest align with God’s redemptive timeline. The budding of the fig tree signals that the season is near, calling us to be alert to the times.

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