There is nothing permanent in this world. That is an irrefutable reality corroborated by the world history. Enmities, Friendships and alliances between the states keep shifting in conformity with changed strategic and geo-political interests and in some cases also on the basis of genocidal policies pursued by a particular state whose allies no more find it possible to support those inhuman actions. The recent manifestation of this reality is the position taken by some of the US allies against Israeli oppression in Gaza and US role in it and their support for the Palestinian state.
On July 28, 2025 July a significant number of countries and organizations signed the’ New York Declaration’ a strong statement that followed a high-level meeting titled ‘Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the question of Palestine’. They included staunch allies of the US which have been blindly following its dictates on global issues without ever questioning their rationale, humanitarian aspects and adherence to norms of international conduct as enshrined in the UN Charter.
The phenomenal rise of China as an economic and military power poised to become number one global power in the near future may well hasten emergence of the new world-order.
The conference despite US opposition to it was attended by Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, United Mexican States, Norway, Qatar, Senegal, Spain, Turkiye, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, European Union and League of Arab States.
The Conference issued a very lengthy declaration. However I would like to mention only the most significant points. The declaration said “We agreed to take collective action to end the war in Gaza, to achieve a just, peaceful and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the effective implementation of the two-State solution, and to build a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and all peoples of the region. Recent developments have highlighted, once again, and more than ever, the terrifying human toll and the grave implications for regional and international peace and security of the persistence of the Middle East conflict. Absent decisive measures towards the two-State solution and robust international guarantees, the conflict will deepen and regional peace will remain elusive. We reiterated our condemnation of all attacks by any party against civilians, including all acts of terrorism and indiscriminate attacks, and all attacks against civilian objects, acts of provocation, incitement and destruction. We reaffirm our rejection of any actions leading to territorial or demographic changes, including forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population, which constitutes a flagrant violation of International humanitarian law. We also condemn the attacks by Israel against civilians in Gaza and civilian infrastructure, siege and starvation, which have resulted in a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis. There is no justification for breaches in grave violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, and we stressed the need for accountability” As is evident the participants stressed the need for implementation of the two-state solution, condemned attacks on civilians and also rejected occupation of Gaza and displacement of its Population which do not align with the position taken by US and Israel.
The significance of the declaration is evident from the fact that the states signing the declaration included the ones which have been previously supporting Israel regardless of context or circumstances. Some of these countries seemingly seem weary of US hypocrisy claiming to support peace in Palestine while still arming Israel war machine that is carrying out genocide in Gaza. That probably is also the reason that some of the European and other countries have also announced recognition of the Palestinian state during the Israeli blitzkrieg in Ghaza and the genocide being carried out by it with tacit approval of the US. These countries include Mexoco, Armenia, Solvenia, Ireland, Norway, Spain, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados.
Australia, France, and Malta have also announced plans to recognize Palestine as a state in September 2025 at the United Nations General Assembly, with Belgium, Canada, and the United Kingdom stating they will as well subject to certain conditions. Israeli attack on the meeting of Hamas Leaders in Doha on 9th September who had gathered there to deliberate on the US Peace Plan has been condemned world-wide including by France, Spain and UK while some other short of condemning the attack have termed it as a grave violation of the international law. Israel claims that it informed the US before the attack. I am sure this naked aggression by Israel will lead to more support for the two-nation solution of the Palestine problem and its recognition in contrast to the US position on the issue. It is perhaps pertinent to point out that though President Trump has tried to distance US from this attack but the reality is that it could not have happened without the latter being on board. Only a day before the attack Trump had warned Hamas to accept his plan otherwise thee would be serious consequences for it.
Currently, the State of Palestine is recognized as a sovereign nation by 147 of the 193 UN member states, representing 75 percent of the international community. It is also recognized by the Holy See, the governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City, which holds UN observer status.
The foregoing developments clearly indicate that the world and western countries are finally turning against Israel and the US for what they are doing to the Palestinian people particularly in Gaza. The USA may not find it easy to command the allegiance of its allies on the question of Palestine anymore. Some analysts and experts are billing these occurrences to the shattering of the old world-order with dwindling influence of US on managing the world affairs. They predict the conflict in Gaza as the harbinger of the new world-order.
The phenomenal rise of China as an economic and military power predicted and poised to become number one global power in the near future with snow-balling impact on the world affairs may well also hasten emergence of the new world-order with the US and its allies relegated to the second position. How long it will take the transition to conclude is difficult to predict but the change already in train.
The writer is a former diplomat and freelance columnist.