The United States has condemned a recent U.N. General Assembly resolution supporting Palestinian statehood, labeling it a “gift to Hamas” and counterproductive to peace efforts.
The United States has strongly condemned a U.N. General Assembly resolution that supports the creation of a Palestinian state, which passed with a vote of 142 in favor and 10 against, calling it a “gift to Hamas.” The resolution was backed by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and France, and it has sparked significant backlash from the Trump administration.
U.S. United Nations Counselor Morgan Ortagus expressed the administration’s disapproval following the vote, stating, “Make no mistake — this resolution is a gift to Hamas.” She emphasized that the United States would not participate in what she described as an “insult to the victims of Oct. 7,” referring to the recent violence in the region. Ortagus further asserted that the resolution undermines diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving peace and securing the release of hostages.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a White House official reiterated President Trump’s stance, indicating that recognizing a Palestinian state would reward Hamas and hinder efforts to bring hostages home. “He doesn’t think they should be rewarded,” the official stated, reinforcing the administration’s position against the resolution.
The “New York Declaration,” proposed during a U.N. conference in July, aims to outline what its sponsors describe as an “irreversible” path toward Palestinian statehood. The declaration condemns Hamas for the attacks on October 7, demands the release of hostages, and calls for Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.
In Paris, the French Foreign Ministry hailed the resolution’s passage as a “historic vote,” reflecting the international community’s commitment to advancing a comprehensive roadmap for peace and security in the region. The ministry noted that the declaration embodies unprecedented support for principles such as an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the establishment of a viable, sovereign Palestinian state. It also confirmed that discussions would continue at a follow-up conference in New York on September 22, which will be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon criticized the vote, labeling it as “theater” and warning that the only beneficiaries would be Hamas. “When terrorists are the ones cheering, you are not advancing peace; you are advancing terror,” he stated, reflecting the concerns of many Israeli officials regarding the implications of the resolution.
Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and president of Human Rights Voices, described the declaration as “a direct threat to American national security” and an “unabashed attempt to destroy the Jewish state.” She expressed particular concern over the provisions related to the so-called right of return, which she argued could lead to a mass influx of Palestinians into Israel, potentially undermining the Jewish majority and self-determination.
Bayefsky criticized the resolution’s provisions regarding Hamas as “smoke and mirrors,” asserting that it undermines the Abraham Accords by restoring a Palestinian veto over regional peace initiatives. She called for a robust response from the United States to counter what she views as a dangerous precedent.
While the U.S. and nine other countries, including Argentina, Hungary, Israel, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Tonga, voted against the resolution, Bayefsky expressed disappointment with Germany’s support for the measure, describing it as “absolutely shocking.” She emphasized that undermining the necessity of Jewish self-determination is “abhorrent.”
On the diplomatic front, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to visit Israel ahead of high-level U.N. meetings later this month, where countries such as France and Britain are expected to formally recognize Palestinian statehood. The developments in the U.N. and the international response to the resolution indicate a complex and evolving landscape in the pursuit of peace in the region.
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