WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - National Security Matters: The New York Declaration

Episode Date: September 20, 2025

The UN General Assembly just approved a resolution in support of a two-state solution for Israel and Hamas. Join Malia Thibado on National Security Matters as she discusses what’s in the document, her opinions on its enforceability, and what it means for the future of the war. 

the show where we discuss anything and everything related to U.S. international relations and defense policy. I'm your host, Malia Tavido. Let's talk about the New York Declaration, what it is, why I think it's illogical, and how the U.S. has responded. First of all, the New York Declaration is the resolution jointly sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia. It states that the only path to a secure and the lasting peace between Israel and Hamas, is the recognition of a Palestinian state separate from Israel and the unification of Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. This resolution was voted for by 142 out of 193 countries in the UN. 12 additional countries abstained from voting and 10, including the U.S., voted against it.

The proposal has provisions such as 1. Hamas must hand over both its armaments and authority in Gaza, to the Palestinian Authority. Two, a, quote, temporary international stabilization mission under the UN. And three, a commitment to taking a concrete action to guarantee a, quote, independent, sovereign, economically viable, and democratic state of Palestine. This proposal presupposes that Hamas will just lay down its arms once they get what they want. Of course, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and various other politicians,

have called for the complete destruction of Hamas on multiple occasions. I don't believe anyone with self-preservation, especially not those accustomed to violent insurrection, are going to just surrender their weapons. It's not logical in my mind. Because if you look at Lebanon, Chesbala is doing the same thing. In their disarmament negotiations with the Lebanese army,

they argue their strength is what protects Lebanon. from Israeli aggression, even as Hezbollah disarmament is what is guaranteeing the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon right now. Also, when have we seen the UN accomplish any lasting peace? They've had peacekeepers in Haiti since June of 2024. Meanwhile, gang violence continues to spread out from the capital into the rest of the island. As for the commitment to democracy, the Palestinian territory was the one who elected Hamas, a terrorist organization, as a leased as leaders in the first place. On the point about handing power over to the Palestinian Authority themselves for a democratic state of

Palestine is president, Mahmoud Abbas, has been in that same position since 2006 and hasn't once held democratic elections. The PA's legislative body hasn't even met since 2007. What democracy are you talking about? And if you interfere directly to try and make a democracy, who is to say, you won't find yourself facing the same resistance that America met in Afghanistan and Iraq. It would be another forever war in the Middle East, exactly what we need. The New York Declaration actually harms peace efforts.

As aforementioned, the U.S. voted against it. According to the release transcripts, the U.S. gave reasons for its opposition. Mainly, the Declaration undermines serious diplomatic effort. It prolongs a war and it rewards Hamas' terror. attack that originally incited it. The news cycle until mid-July was full of the negotiations taking place between Israel Hamas with the U.S. as mediators, but those headlines disappeared around the time of the announcement of the New York Declaration. So it may not have been a main reason for negotiation breakdown. It's certainly emboldened Hamas to continue its full

adherence. The U.S. document also reminds the U.N. that it was an unprovoked act of terror against civilians that began the war. It says the resolution, quote, fails to recognize the reality that Hamas' terrorism on October 7th was the reason this war was necessary and its refusal to free the hostages and lay down its arms is the reason that war continues. It's plain that the UN declaration is nothing but political posturing and appeasement that will lead to more future harm than good as it encourages terrorist acts against legitimate countries. Lastly, a reminder, Hamas still holds 48 hostages, only 20 of whom are suspected to still be alive. Every moment could be another life.

Thank you for listening to National Security Matters with Malia Thibito on WRFH Radio Free Hillsdale, 101.7 FM.