NEW YORK -- World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder has issued the following statement in response to the United Nations General Assembly's approval of Palestinian statehood, with 143 nations voting in favor, 9 against, and 25 abstaining:
"Today's premature vote on Palestinian statehood by the members of the UN General Assembly serves as a distraction from the essential efforts required to solve the critical issues obstructing a two-state solution. The recent October 7th attacks should only serve as a stark reminder that Hamas, which has been rightly designated as a terrorist organization, can play no role in the future of the Palestinian people.
“The World Jewish Congress has consistently supported a negotiated two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. However, genuine peace cannot be imposed from the outside; it must develop through direct negotiations when Palestinian society decisively rejects and removes unacceptable actors like Hamas from its midst.
“It is crucial for the international community to prioritize not only symbolic gestures but also substantive actions that foster real peace. This includes addressing the urgent issue of hostages in Gaza and confronting the continued threat posed by Hamas.
“We urge the UN and its bodies to support initiatives that bring both parties back to the negotiation table, facilitating a dialogue capable of reaching a sustainable agreement that prevents extremist factions from derailing the Palestinian cause.”
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