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The UN General Assembly today adopted the "New York Declaration," a text that revives the prospect of a Palestinian state while explicitly condemning Hamas. Adopted by 142 votes to 10 (including Israel and the United States) with 12 abstentions, the resolution demands that the Islamist movement surrender its weapons and hand over control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. This is unprecedented wording, as the war in the enclave enters its second year.

The text, already signed in July by 17 countries, including several Arab countries, sets out a clear line: the future of a Palestinian state must be part of the two-state solution, without Hamas. It provides for the deployment of a temporary international mission to Gaza, under the mandate of the Security Council, to protect the civilian population and prepare for stabilization. For Paris, which will co-chair a UN summit with Riyadh on September 22, this vote is a step towards the recognition of Palestine. Emmanuel Macron has promised to announce this decision at the meeting.

For many states, this text also offers a diplomatic "shield" against Israeli accusations of complacency towards Hamas. As Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group summarized, it allows capitals favorable to the recognition of the Palestinian state to clearly dissociate themselves from the Islamist movement. "September 12 will remain the day of Hamas' definitive international isolation," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

Israel, for its part, categorically rejects any prospect of a Palestinian state. "There will be no Palestinian state," Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday. Washington has supported this line, going so far as to refuse to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to visit New York. But the momentum seems to have been set in motion: about three-quarters of the 193 member states already recognize Palestine, which was proclaimed in 1988, and several have announced their intention to officially take the step at the General Assembly on September 22.

Against a backdrop of continued war in Gaza, growing settlement activity in the West Bank, and Israeli calls for annexation, this vote illustrates a diplomatic shift. While the feasibility of a Palestinian state on the ground is increasingly contested, its political and symbolic foothold on the international stage is growing stronger.

IN SHORT

🇷🇺 Russia - 🇧🇾 Belarus - 🇵🇱 Poland • Moscow and Minsk launched joint military exercises today, called "Zapad-2025," near the Polish border, in the Baltic Sea, and in the Barents Sea. Officially, they are simulating a response to an attack and the "restoration of territorial integrity." Warsaw, Vilnius, and Riga have tightened their security measures and restricted airspace; Poland has closed its border with Belarus and deployed up to 40,000 soldiers.

🇵🇱 Poland - 🇫🇷 France - 🇩🇪 Germany - 🇳🇱 Netherlands • In response to the intrusion of 19 Russian drones into Polish airspace, which Warsaw considers to be deliberate, several European countries are strengthening their military presence in Poland. France has deployed three Rafale fighter jets, while Germany has doubled its Eurofighter presence and extended its mission until December. The Netherlands has sent two Patriot batteries and 300 soldiers, while the Czech Republic has mobilized three Mi-17 helicopters. NATO, invoking Article 4, has stepped up its "sky policing" to secure the eastern flank of the Alliance, particularly in Poland. Warsaw firmly rejected Donald Trump's comments suggesting that the incursion of Russian drones into Poland could be "a mistake." "It wasn't. And we know it," replied Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom - 🇪🇺 European Union • The UK will not rejoin the EU "in my lifetime," said Nick Thomas-Symonds, architect of the recent rapprochement with Brussels under Keir Starmer. Despite improved relations, he rules out any return to the Union, the single market, or free movement during this term of office. Instead, he is banking on a strategic partnership, with progress already made on fishing quotas, climate, youth mobility, and agricultural trade. The Guardian

🇮🇱 Israel - 🇮🇷 Iran • Israeli intelligence services have admitted that the strikes carried out in June against Iran's nuclear program did not completely destroy Tehran's capabilities. Although the enrichment sites at Fordo and Natanz were severely damaged, Iran still has 450 kg of uranium in gaseous form and the necessary scientific expertise. Israel has stated that it can detect any resumption of the program and is now threatening to target the Iranian regime directly. US agencies have stopped sharing their intelligence on the subject, on the orders of Donald Trump.

🇳🇵 Nepal • The country is plunged into uncertainty after deadly riots that killed at least 51 people and allowed 12,500 prisoners to escape. In Kathmandu, the population is only allowed to go out for a few hours a day, under heavy military presence. Negotiations are underway between the president and youth protest leaders to appoint a new head of government. Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki is tipped to lead the transition.

🇪🇺 European Union - 🇮🇳 India • The EU and India are conducting "intense" trade negotiations to conclude a free trade agreement by the end of 2025, according to the Indian Minister of Commerce. This partnership aims to offset the impact of heavy US tariffs on Indian exports. Both sides want to reach a "balanced" agreement that supports businesses and citizens. India is seeking to diversify its trade outlets, while the EU sees this as a strategic lever. Bloomberg

🇨🇳 China - 🇹🇼 Taiwan • Beijing announced that its new aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has crossed the Taiwan Strait to reach the South China Sea, where it will participate in tests and exercises. This ship, the largest ever built by China, is intended to strengthen its naval power in a tense region. Taiwan closely monitored the passage, which was considered highly symbolic. The Fujian was escorted by two destroyers and observed near the Senkaku Islands, a territory disputed with Japan.

🇮🇷 Iran - 🇫🇷 France • A prisoner exchange agreement between Paris and Tehran is close, according to the Iranian foreign minister. Iran wants to secure the release of Mahdieh Esfandiari, arrested in France for glorifying terrorism, in exchange for French nationals detained in Tehran, including Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, accused of espionage. France considers these detentions to be state hostage-taking. This possible agreement comes after the release in June of Louis Arnaud, who was sentenced to five years in prison for participating in the 2022 protests in Iran.

🇧🇷 Brazil • The Supreme Court sentenced Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for attempted coup, by a vote of 4 to 1 in its first chamber yesterday. Seven of his associates received sentences ranging from 2 to 26 years. Rapporteur Alexandre de Moraes described an organization aiming to establish a state of siege and assassinate Lula after the riots of January 8, 2023. The remaining appeals are limited: already under house arrest, wearing an electronic ankle bracelet, and deprived of social media, the former president could be incarcerated by November.

🇺🇸 United States • Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox announced the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, suspected of shooting and killing far-right influencer Charlie Kirk.

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