Secretary-General Urges Two-State Solution and End to Occupation in Address to Palestinian Rights Committee

UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the opening session of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People in New York, emphasizing the urgent need to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination. He highlighted the precarious situation in Gaza and the West Bank, calling for immediate humanitarian relief and a commitment to international law. Guterres urged the international community to support a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace.

Urgent Call for Humanitarian Relief

In his remarks, Guterres expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 500 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives since an agreement was reached in October 2025. He urged all parties involved to fully implement the agreement, exercise restraint, and adhere to international law and United Nations resolutions. The Secretary-General emphasized the necessity for rapid and unhindered humanitarian aid to reach those in need, particularly through the Rafah Crossing. He criticized the suspension of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide essential assistance, stating that such actions violate humanitarian principles and exacerbate the suffering of civilians. Guterres called for the delivery of shelter, food, educational materials, and other basic necessities to alleviate the dire conditions faced by the Palestinian population.

Concerns Over Settlement Expansion

Guterres also addressed the alarming situation in the occupied West Bank, where illegal settlement expansion, demolitions, and evictions are on the rise. In 2025 alone, more than 37,000 Palestinians were displaced, coinciding with unprecedented levels of violence from Israeli settlers. He specifically pointed to Israel’s recent tender for 3,401 housing units in the E1 Area, warning that such developments could sever the territorial contiguity of the West Bank and undermine the feasibility of a two-state solution. The Secretary-General reiterated that these actions are not only destabilizing but also unlawful, as affirmed by the International Court of Justice. He highlighted the need for a unified and internationally recognized Palestinian government to govern both Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Support for UNRWA and International Law

Guterres reaffirmed his support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), condemning recent Israeli legislative actions that hinder the agency’s operations. He expressed strong disapproval of the demolition of the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound in East Jerusalem, asserting that UNRWA premises are inviolable and immune from interference. The Secretary-General called for Member States to politically and financially support UNRWA, emphasizing its critical role in providing assistance to Palestinian refugees. He also condemned public threats against UNRWA staff by Israeli officials, urging a collective repudiation of such actions.

The Path to a Two-State Solution

In closing, Guterres reminded the international community of the importance of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He reiterated that the occupation must end and that the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people must be respected. The Secretary-General stressed that the path to a just and lasting peace lies in a two-state solution, which would establish a fully independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state alongside Israel. He called for clarity, unity, and determination from the international community to support this objective, emphasizing that Jerusalem should serve as the capital for both states, based on the pre-1967 borders.

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