Israel-Hamas conflict — and recognition of Palestinian state — may take heart stage this week
The Israel-Hamas conflict is bound to be a frequent matter on this week’s speeches. Final week, the U.N. Basic Meeting overwhelmingly handed a nonbinding decision that requires a phased finish to the Israeli-Palestinian battle and pushes for the creation of a Palestinian state.
As frustration with the conflict grows, the UK, Australia and Canada formally acknowledged a Palestinian state over the weekend, and France adopted swimsuit at a U.N. assembly on Monday.
The Trump administration disagrees, with White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt calling these U.S. allies’ recognition of a Palestinian state “simply extra discuss and never sufficient motion.”
French President Emmanuel Macron introduced over the summer season that he would acknowledge a Palestinian state. In an interview final week with CBS Information’ Margaret Brennan, he argued the transfer may disempower Hamas. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has known as the transfer “reckless,” a response Macron known as “extreme.”
Additionally, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is about to talk on Tuesday, after Israel focused Hamas leaders in a strike on the Qatari capital of Doha earlier this month. Qatar condemned the transfer, and Mr. Trump criticized it.
Trump’s new U.N. ambassador Mike Waltz was confirmed last week
This week’s U.N. General Assembly meeting is the first public test for Mike Waltz, who was approved by the Senate only last week to be the U.S. ambassador to the U.N.
The U.S. has gone without a confirmed ambassador to the U.N. since the start of Mr. Trump’s second term as president. Mr. Trump originally nominated Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, who gave up her role in congressional leadership for the job, but the president pulled her nomination in March, saying he needed her in Congress due to the GOP’s razor-thin majority.
Waltz previously served as Mr. Trump’s national security adviser, but he was replaced in that role by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in May.
What is the U.N. General Assembly?
The U.N. General Assembly includes all United Nations member states. As the U.N.’s primary deliberative body, its members consider and vote on recommendations to tackle major world issues, ranging from climate change to human rights. Its resolutions are often nonbinding.
The body meets every year, starting in September. This year’s sessions are also marked by the 80th anniversary of the United Nations’ founding.
The U.N. says the theme for the general debate of this session is “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.”
