Will the United Nations grant Palestine its birth certificate after 78 years of waiting? | policy

The cessation of the Israeli war on Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s plan raises questions about the possibility of repeating the same scenario in favor of an independent Palestinian state, especially in light of the unprecedented international isolation that Israel faces.

The episode (10/16/2025) of the “From Washington” program addressed the future of the Palestinian issue from the United Nations headquarters in New York, reviewing the past, present, and future of this issue that has been pending for decades.

This coincides with President Trump expressing his confidence that his plan will bring peace and stability to the region, as he spoke of a “historic dawn for a new Middle East” during his speech before the Israeli Knesset.

Regarding the chances of achieving peace, Annalena Baerbock, President of the eightieth session of the General Assembly and former German Foreign Minister, confirms that the two-state solution represents the only path to lasting peace in the region.

Speaking to the program, Birbock pointed out that the Palestinians cannot live in security and peace unless the Israelis also live in security and peace, adding that the region’s recognition of the security of the State of Israel requires, in return, that the Palestinians live in dignity and the right to self-determination in their own state.

The President of the General Assembly described the 700 days of the war on Gaza as “dramatic for civilians and international law.”

She stressed the importance of respecting international humanitarian law even in times of war, emphasizing the necessity of protecting civilians and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid, pointing out that humanitarian law only gains its strength if member states respect it.

Birbock refused to give a personal position on the trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court.

She stressed the independence of the international judiciary, explaining that the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court were established specifically to deal with such cases away from political considerations, despite the great pressures to which these courts are exposed, which reflects the importance of justice and accountability.

Settlement

The President of the General Assembly touched on the issue of settlements in the West Bank, explaining that the Assembly was clear in affirming the right of the Palestinians to their state on the pre-1967 borders, and that the settlements in the Palestinian territories are illegal.

She added that lasting peace requires a careful balance between security guarantees for Israel on the one hand, and guarantees for the Palestinian people to build their administration and state on the other hand.

On the other hand, analysts specializing in international affairs revealed the limited role expected for the United Nations in Trump’s plan.

Maya Ungar, a United Nations affairs analyst at the International Crisis Group, explained that the plan does not include a clear political role for the international organization, even though the United Nations actually began sending thousands of tons of humanitarian aid immediately after the first phase of the plan entered into force.

Devex’s international affairs correspondent, Colm Lynch, pointed out interesting similarities between the current situation and what happened during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, when the administration of former President George W. Bush tried to marginalize the United Nations before it was later forced to seek its help.

Lynch pointed out that any international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip will necessarily require a Security Council resolution, which means that the United Nations will play a role that cannot be ignored, no matter how the US administration tries to marginalize it.

Ungar stressed that Palestine needs the approval of the Security Council to obtain full membership in the United Nations, but the United States currently opposes this.

She added that any future US administration may use General Assembly channels to support recognition of a Palestinian state, provided that this is accompanied by real support for building sustainable political structures.

Solidarity with Palestine

At the local level, New York State Senator of Colombian origin Jessica Ramos described relations between diverse ethnic groups in New York as exemplary despite political tensions.

She pointed out that her electoral neighborhood is witnessing rare incidents of hatred, despite the tough rhetoric issued by the federal government.

The Senator expressed her deep solidarity with the suffering of the Palestinians, citing Colombia’s painful experience with the decades-long civil war.

She explained that the Trump administration’s immigration policies cast a shadow over all immigrant communities, including Muslim and Latino communities, noting that hundreds of children did not return to their schools after their families were arrested.

In response to the question posed by the episode: Will the General Assembly be able to grant Palestine a birth certificate as it did with Israel 78 years ago? Berbock answered: The conflict will not be resolved by terrorism, occupation, or wars, but only by negotiating a two-state solution.

She concluded her speech with a clear warning: Past failure does not mean giving up, otherwise evil will triumph.