Criticism Of The United Nations Solutions Conference, United States: Extending The War

JAKARTA - United States President Donald Trump's administration boycotted the United Nations (UN) conference to support a two-state solution to today's Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The US State Department called the conference an "publicity action" not on time.

The conference, called the official "High Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution", was held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States on July 28-30.

"This is a publicity stunt that comes amid complicated diplomatic efforts to end the conflict," State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce said in a statement.

"Instead of promoting peace, this conference will prolong the war, make Hamas bolder, and instead benefit Hamas' efforts to prevent it and weaken real efforts to achieve peace," he continued, adding the move prompted Hamas to "block the ceasefire."

The path to a diplomatic solution to the Gaza war remains unclear, after US-backed efforts to push the ceasefire failed last week with Israel and the US withdrawing their delegation from negotiations in Doha, Qatar.

France and Saudi Arabia, which jointly chaired the United Nations conference on a two-state solution, stressed the two-state solution to peace and security for Israel and Palestine.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud praised France's "historic step" and said the two countries and their partners were "committed to realize this international consensus."

He reiterated Saudi Arabia's position which would only normalize relations with Israel after the establishment of the Palestinian State.

Last week, President Emmanuel Macron announced France would recognize the Palestinian State at the UN General Assembly in September, making it the first G7 country to do so.

US President Donald Trump said France's move was futile, praising President Macron but criticizing his remarks about the Palestinian State recognition plan.

"What he said is not important," President Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday, July 25.

"He's a very good person. I like him, but that statement is not weighted," he added.