On October 9th, 2023, in a unified statement, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain, gathered to express their deep concern over the recent heinous and antisemitic terrorist attack in Israel on October 7th, 2023.
The coalition of nations, which includes some of the world’s leading democracies, denounced the attack as “heinous” and called for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza. The statement also reiterated their commitment to a two-State solution, where Israel and Palestine coexist in peace within secure and recognized borders.
The nations expressed grave concern over the high number of civilian casualties and humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing the essential role of the United Nations and its agencies in facilitating humanitarian assistance. They welcomed the recent commitments made by the President of the Palestinian Authority on June 10th, which included condemning the terrorist attacks, calling for hostage liberation, disarmament, and a commitment to reform.
Ahead of the meeting of Heads of State and Government at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) in September 2025, the coalition has already recognized Palestine as an essential step towards the two-State solution. They invited all countries that have not done so to join this call and urged those who have not established normal relations with Israel to do so.
The coalition also expressed their determination to work on a post-conflict architecture in Gaza that guarantees the reconstruction of the region, disarmament of Hamas, and its exclusion from Palestinian governance. This commitment underscores the nations’ resolve to support a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A Unified Front for Peace
The statement by the coalition of nations marks a significant moment in the pursuit of peace in the Middle East. The collective condemnation of Hamas’s terrorist attack and their unwavering commitment to the two-State solution demonstrate a united front against extremism and violence.
As the international community continues to navigate this complex conflict, it is clear that the support of nations like those represented by this coalition will be crucial in fostering an environment conducive to peace and stability. The commitment to recognize Palestine as an essential step towards a two-State solution also underscores the importance of diplomatic efforts to resolve this long-standing dispute.
In conclusion, the unified statement from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs is a significant development in the pursuit of peace in the Middle East. As the world looks to the future, it will be critical to continue supporting this coalition’s commitment to a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.