The New York Declaration: The Unanimous Declaration by the European Union and Union of Arab States

This "New York Declaration" was signed by all 22 members of the Arab League and the entire European Union.

Last week, the Arab League, in a significant shift, joined a high-level international conference at the United Nations in New York and signed a declaration that, for the first time, explicitly condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. 

Key points from the declaration regarding Gaza, Hamas, and the hostages include:

• Condemnation of the October 7 attacks: The declaration condemned the attacks by Hamas against civilians on October 7, 2023, as well as Israeli attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

• Release of hostages: The declaration called for the release of all hostages.

• Hamas's role in Gaza: It urged Hamas to disarm and hand over its rule of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. The document frames this as a necessary step to end the war, facilitate humanitarian aid, and advance a two-state solution.

• Ceasefire and humanitarian aid: The declaration called for a permanent ceasefire and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

• Post-war governance: The declaration supports a phased plan for a two-state solution, with an independent, demilitarized Palestine living peacefully alongside Israel. It also supports the possible deployment of a temporary UN stabilization mission in Gaza.

Honestly, though the beligerant parties don't agree, this is the correct recipe for a real peace.