Pakistan Urges End to Israeli Occupation at UN Preparatory Meeting for Two-State Solution Conference
As diplomats convened in New York on Friday to prepare for a major international conference in June aimed at reviving global momentum towards a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, Pakistan called for confronting the root cause — Israel’s decades-long occupation, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
“Peace can only be achieved by ending the occupation,” said Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, during the preparatory session involving UN member states. The meeting aimed to align expectations and finalize eight thematic roundtables that will shape the outcome of the upcoming conference.
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Ambassador Asim stressed that the conference is both timely and critical, given the intensifying humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the suffering of Palestinians, and the systematic dismantling of the two-state vision through illegal settlements and unilateral actions by the occupying power.
Scheduled to take place at the UN Headquarters from June 17 to 20, the conference was mandated by a UN General Assembly resolution passed in December. It will be co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.
UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang urged nations to seize this pivotal opportunity for progress.
“The horrors witnessed in Gaza for the past nineteen months demand urgent and decisive action,” Yang said. “The conflict cannot be resolved through perpetual war, occupation, or annexation. It will only end when Israelis and Palestinians can live in sovereign, independent states — side by side, in peace and dignity.”
French presidential advisor Anne-Claire Legendre emphasized that the conference must deliver concrete results beyond mere reaffirmation of past commitments.
“We must urgently shift from words to action — from halting the war in Gaza to resolving the conflict itself,” she said. Legendre also called for a lasting ceasefire, immediate humanitarian access, and the release of all hostages.
Representing Saudi Arabia, Manal bint Hassan Radwan termed the moment “historic,” emphasizing that the meeting must “pave the way for decisive action, not just reflection.”
“Civilians continue to bear the brunt of a war that must end now,” she warned. “The situation in the West Bank is equally troubling. Despair is deepening daily.”
She stressed that resolving the decades-old conflict requires a comprehensive political plan that addresses the root causes and provides a credible path to peace, security, and dignity.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for a just and comprehensive resolution, Ambassador Asim said the solution must be based on international law and UN resolutions, with the borders of 1967 and Al-Quds Al-Sharif (East Jerusalem) as the capital of a future independent Palestinian state.
“This conference must mark a turning point with tangible outcomes,” he told delegates.
Ahead of the June summit, he urged the immediate restoration of a ceasefire in Gaza, lifting of the blockade, unimpeded humanitarian access via UNRWA, and protection of civilians and aid workers.
He strongly opposed any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians, annex territory, or enforce militarized aid routes.
To ensure the feasibility of Palestinian statehood, Ambassador Asim proposed:
- Establishing a mechanism to monitor implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including those condemning illegal settlements and backing full UN membership for Palestine.
- Activating the Gaza Reconstruction Plan endorsed by the OIC and Arab League, including key projects like a Gaza–West Bank transit corridor, seaport reconstruction, and development of industrial zones for unity and territorial connectivity.
“Pakistan stands ready to support this conference and contribute to a credible political roadmap that ensures a two-state solution, upholds Palestinian rights, and delivers lasting peace,” he concluded.
