(Washington, D.C., September 22, 2025) — In response to the high-level UN General Assembly conference today in New York to advance the recognition and implementation of Palestinian statehood, DAWN issues the following statement:
"Recognition of Palestinian statehood is a welcome acknowledgment of reality after decades of denial, but unless it is coupled with enforceable mechanisms to dismantle Israel's illegal occupation, it is nothing more than a symbolic statement," said Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man, Israel-Palestine director at DAWN. "UN member states should now suspend Israel's rights and privileges at the General Assembly, impose comprehensive economic sanctions and a full arms embargo and create the type of pressure that can actually end the occupation, apartheid, and genocide."
"As a Palestinian, this is a historic moment of international solidarity where the world is saying 'no' to Israel's genocide, apartheid, and occupation, and yes to Palestinian rights and self-determination," said Raed Jarrar, Advocacy Director, DAWN. "Now that moral clarity must translate into immediate actions to stop the Israeli death machine and to protect Palestinians at our darkest hour."
Background:
The session follows the General Assembly's September 12 endorsement of the New York Declaration on implementing the two-state solution. In recent days, multiple governments—including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal—have announced recognition of the State of Palestine, with additional actions expected around UNGA.
