The United States is warning countries not to attend a United Nations conference that will focus on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The meeting is scheduled to take place next week in New York. It is being organized to explore a roadmap for a two-state solution, an idea that has long been debated in international diplomacy.
According to a diplomatic cable obtained by Reuters, the US says that any country supporting decisions against Israel after the event could face serious diplomatic consequences. The cable was sent on Tuesday to several governments. It urges nations to avoid actions that would be seen as opposing US foreign policy.
The UN event is being co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. Both countries have close political and economic ties with the US. However, the US believes the event could harm current peace efforts in the Middle East. The American government said the conference is not helpful at a time when the war in Gaza is still ongoing.
The conflict in Gaza began in October 2023 after an attack by Hamas fighters from Gaza into Israel. That assault resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the kidnapping of around 250 others. In response, Israel launched a large military operation in Gaza. Since then, nearly 55,000 Palestinians have died. Most of the population of Gaza has been displaced, and many areas have been destroyed.
The US cable warns that the conference might hurt delicate negotiations that are underway to stop the war. Talks involving Egypt, Qatar, and the US are ongoing to bring about a ceasefire and to release remaining hostages held in Gaza. The US argues that the UN meeting could damage those efforts and give support to groups that reject peace plans.
President Emmanuel Macron of France has recently suggested that France may consider officially recognizing a Palestinian state during the conference. If this happens, France would become the first major Western country to take this step. This could increase global support for Palestinian statehood, especially among smaller countries that are already critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The US strongly disagrees with this idea. Officials believe that recognizing a Palestinian state now would complicate legal and political matters. They also fear it would weaken Israel’s position during an ongoing conflict. The US claims that such recognition would give encouragement to Israel’s enemies and could lead to more violence.
Although the US has supported a two-state solution for decades, its recent actions show a more cautious approach. During Donald Trump’s first term as president, support for a two-state solution became less clear. In his second term, Trump has not given a strong statement on where he stands. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said that a Palestinian state is no longer considered a goal of American foreign policy.
France’s position has shifted because of the rising number of deaths in Gaza and growing violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. French leaders say there is now an urgent need to act before the chance for a peaceful two-state solution disappears completely. Macron’s government is under pressure from both domestic and international voices. France is home to large Jewish and Muslim communities, making this issue highly sensitive.
Countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada have recently taken steps to pressure Israel to end the war. These G7 allies of the US joined others in placing sanctions on two Israeli government ministers with far-right views. These actions show that not all US allies fully support Israel’s current policies.
Israel has criticized the UN conference. Its leaders say the event sends the wrong message and rewards violent groups for past attacks. Israeli officials have been urging France and other countries not to recognize a Palestinian state during the meeting. Israel fears that such a decision would increase international pressure and weaken its stance during wartime.
While some diplomats see the US warning as political pressure, others believe it will not stop many countries from attending the event. One European diplomat said the American message would likely not change many decisions, especially among countries that are already planning to attend. However, the US remains firm in its position.
The US State Department and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign have not issued public responses to media questions about the issue. As the date of the UN meeting approaches, it is clear that tensions are rising not only between Israel and Palestine, but also between global powers trying to shape the outcome of the conflict.
