French-Saudi UN confab on two-state solution said rescheduled for July 28-29

Conference originally scheduled for mid-June was postponed due to Israel-Iran war; Jerusalem slams proposed recognition of Palestinian state as rewarding Oct. 7

An international conference meant to revive work on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been rescheduled for July 28-29 following its postponement due to the Israel-Iran war last month, diplomatic sources told AFP Friday.

The sources could not provide details on any changes to the agenda or level of attending representatives. Heads of state and government had been expected to attend the jointly French- and Saudi-chaired conference at the UN General Assembly in June.

Originally set for mid-June, the conference, set to take place at the UN headquarters in New York, was postponed on June 13 after Israel launched a surprise military campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear program, missile production and military leadership.

Iran retaliated against Israel’s strikes with deadly ballistic missile strikes that caused heavy damage to Israeli cities. The war lasted 12 days, until June 24, when it ended with a US-brokered ceasefire.

On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron called during his UK state visit for joint recognition by France and Britain of a Palestinian state, saying such moves are “the only hope for peace” in the region.

Diplomats say French recognition of Palestinian statehood could lend greater weight to a movement hitherto dominated by smaller nations generally more critical of Israel.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) and France’s President Emmanuel Macron gesture as they leave following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing at a military base at Northwood Headquarters in north-west London, Britain, July 10, 2025. (Ludovic Marin / POOL / AFP)

Macron has become increasingly critical of Israel amid the war in Gaza, which was sparked by the Hamas onslaught of October 7, 2023. Israel has asserted that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state would amount to a “reward” to Hamas for the shock assault.

US President Donald Trump’s administration sent a diplomatic cable earlier this week to discourage governments around the world from attending the conference, according to a US cable seen by Reuters.

It had also warned of possible consequences for those who took measures against Israel, raising pressure on the participants and making Macron’s potential decision to recognize a Palestinian state more complicated.