Emirati Delegation Leads Talks on Peaceful Settlement of Palestinian Conflict and Two-State Solution

UAE Calls for Bold Political Action as International Momentum Builds for Palestinian Statehood

The United Arab Emirates has positioned itself at the forefront of renewed international efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as 125 nations gathered at the UN headquarters to chart a concrete path toward the two-state solution. With France announcing its intention to recognize Palestinian statehood and growing global consensus emerging after 21 months of war in Gaza, the UAE's diplomatic push signals a critical juncture where humanitarian crisis meets political opportunity.

High-Level Diplomatic Push Gains Momentum

UAE Minister of State Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar led his country's delegation to the high-level international conference on peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France at UN headquarters in New York. The three-day summit brought together representatives from 125 countries, marking one of the largest coordinated diplomatic efforts on the Palestinian question in recent years.

The conference showcased results from eight working groups that spent months preparing detailed recommendations across political, legal, economic, and humanitarian tracks. This methodical approach reflects a shift from reactive crisis management to proactive solution-building, suggesting international stakeholders are moving beyond mere conflict containment.

France's Recognition Pledge Catalyzes Regional Dynamics

President Emmanuel Macron's commitment to recognize Palestinian statehood before the UN General Assembly in September 2024 represents a significant diplomatic breakthrough. Al Marar highlighted this development as providing "greater impetus for steady steps toward establishing lasting, just, and comprehensive peace" in the Middle East.

This French position aligns with a broader European trend, following similar recognition moves by Spain, Ireland, and Norway earlier in 2024. The timing is strategic—occurring as international patience with the status quo reaches a breaking point amid Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe.

UAE's Humanitarian Leadership Amid Political Advocacy

The UAE has emerged as a leading provider of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, conducting airdrops, land convoys, and maritime deliveries to Gaza. Al Marar emphasized that addressing the immediate humanitarian crisis remains the "clear top priority" while working toward long-term political solutions.

This dual approach—combining immediate relief with sustained diplomatic engagement—positions the UAE as both a humanitarian actor and political mediator. The strategy mirrors the UAE's broader foreign policy evolution from regional power projection to conflict resolution and economic integration.

Beyond Crisis Management: Addressing Root Causes

Al Marar's address marked a notable shift in regional diplomatic language, calling for movement "from attempts to contain the conflict to addressing its roots." This represents a departure from traditional Gulf approaches that often focused on managing rather than resolving the Palestinian issue.

The minister specifically condemned Israeli settler violence in the West Bank and called for immediate ceasefire implementation, prisoner exchanges, and coordinated international efforts to end the Gaza conflict. This direct language reflects growing regional frustration with incremental approaches that have failed to produce lasting results.

Four-Point Roadmap for Sustainable Peace

The UAE outlined a comprehensive framework for achieving lasting resolution, emphasizing four critical elements that address both immediate concerns and long-term stability requirements.

Political Will and Negotiated Settlement

The first pillar focuses on creating genuine political commitment to the two-state solution through serious negotiations between parties, supported by regional and international sponsors. This acknowledges that external pressure alone cannot substitute for direct party engagement, while recognizing the need for sustained international involvement.

Irreversible Implementation Mechanisms

The UAE called for a "clear, binding, and irreversible roadmap" for establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel. This emphasis on irreversibility addresses Palestinian concerns about previous peace processes that stalled or reversed under political pressure.

Governance and Security Reforms

Perhaps most significantly, the UAE acknowledged the need for "radical treatment" of Palestinian governance, security, and reform issues. This includes establishing a "legitimate, competent, responsible" Palestinian national authority capable of maintaining monopoly over armed force, ensuring security and rule of law, and combating extremism and terrorism.

This position aligns with broader regional concerns about Palestinian institutional capacity while avoiding the paternalistic tone that has characterized some international approaches to Palestinian governance.

Regional Integration Framework

The final element envisions regional and international engagement in a comprehensive approach addressing extremism, ending violence cycles, and promoting development and prosperity for all regional peoples, including both Palestinians and Israelis.

This reflects the UAE's experience with the Abraham Accords and its belief that economic integration can support political settlements, though it notably avoids explicit mention of normalization as a prerequisite for Palestinian statehood.

Strategic Implications for Middle East Diplomacy

The UAE's prominent role in this diplomatic initiative signals important shifts in regional power dynamics and conflict resolution approaches. Unlike previous peace processes dominated by US mediation, this effort features significant European and Arab leadership, potentially offering more balanced perspectives on final status issues.

The timing also reflects calculation that current conditions—including Israeli domestic political instability, growing international isolation, and Palestinian institutional weakness—may create opportunities for breakthrough that didn't exist during previous negotiation rounds.

Economic and Investment Considerations

For international investors and regional economies, the UAE's diplomatic push carries significant implications. Sustained conflict resolution could unlock massive reconstruction investments in Gaza and the West Bank, while regional integration could boost trade flows and energy cooperation across the Eastern Mediterranean.

The UAE's positioning as both humanitarian provider and diplomatic mediator also enhances its regional influence and international standing, potentially attracting additional foreign investment and partnership opportunities.

Testing Political Courage Against Entrenched Positions

Al Marar concluded by emphasizing that "every day that passes without a solution deepens wounds and distances opportunities for peace." His call for "boldness and political courage" acknowledges that technical solutions exist, but implementation requires overcoming domestic political constraints in Israel, Palestine, and key international capitals.

The success of this diplomatic initiative will ultimately depend on whether international momentum can translate into concrete policy changes, particularly regarding Israeli settlement expansion, Palestinian governance reform, and sustained international commitment to implementation mechanisms. The UAE's leadership suggests regional powers are no longer willing to wait indefinitely for external solutions to regional challenges.