A New Dawn in Diplomacy: Liberia’s UN Stance on Palestine and the Global Push for Two States Solution

President Boakai@UNGA

United Nations Headquarters, New York – September 25, 2025 – The grand hall of the United Nations General Assembly, a stage where nations articulate their aspirations and concerns, was the setting for a pivotal moment in Liberian foreign policy. Against the backdrop of the 80th session, themed "Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development, and Human Rights," President Joseph Nyuma Boakai delivered a statement that was as definitive as it was deliberate. In a public declaration on the world's most prominent diplomatic stage, President Boakai voiced Liberia’s unequivocal support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This position marks a new and definitive chapter in the nation's diplomatic history, solidifying its place within a powerful and growing international consensus.

During his address, President Boakai affirmed Liberia's commitment to a renewal of multilateralism and pledged that the nation would remain "a bridge to peace, a development partner, and a defender of human rights" for the next eighty years. This statement, far from being a mere rhetorical flourish, serves as a clear signal of the Boakai administration's strategic intent. It positions Liberia as a modern, responsible global actor, consciously aligning itself with a broad international effort to address intertwined global challenges and move beyond a foreign policy historically defined by external dependencies. The public nature of this declaration is paramount; it is a calculated choice to stand with the international community and signal a sovereign path forward.

The Long Arc of Liberian Diplomacy: From Partition to Present

Liberia's relationship with the question of Palestine and Israel is a complex tapestry woven from historical, emotional, and pragmatic threads. The nation's initial stance was shaped by a unique historical parallel. Early Americo-Liberian leaders, most notably Edward Wilmot Blyden, found a powerful connection between Zionism and the Back-to-Africa movement. They saw similarities between the Jewish people’s quest for a homeland and the Americo-Liberian settlers’ return to a perceived ancestral home as an escape from persecution. This sentiment, which has been described as a "Christian Zionist" perspective, was a foundational element of the early emotional bond between the two nations.

This sentiment influenced Liberia's early diplomatic decisions. The country was one of the 33 United Nations member states to vote in favor of establishing a Jewish state in Palestine in 1947. While some records suggest the United States pressured Liberia into this vote by threatening to cut crucial aid, the underlying emotional factor, along with foreign financial investment and development assistance from Israel, solidified relations during the Tubman administration. The relationship was so strong that following the Six-Day War in 1967, Liberia became the first African nation to move its embassy to Jerusalem.

The diplomatic landscape shifted under President William Tolbert in the 1970s. As Liberia sought to identify more closely with the Non-Aligned Movement and build new relationships with Asian and Arab nations, the emotional factor began to wane in favor of a "practical, utilitarian" foreign policy. Tolbert severed ties with Israel in 1973 in response to the Yom Kippur War, a move that was replicated by 28 other African countries. While contact was maintained through private businesses and international organizations, formal relations were not re-established until 1983 under the regime of Samuel Doe.

A more recent and telling event foreshadowed the current administration's position. In a crucial diplomatic bellwether in late 2023, the Liberian government's diplomats initially cast a negative vote against a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire. However, this was swiftly and publicly rescinded on the direct mandate of then-President George Manneh Weah, who clarified that the vote was cast without his acquiescence. President Weah had long advocated for peace and had even appealed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a letter to exercise restraint and protect civilians. This reversal was a microcosm of a foreign policy in transition, demonstrating a new emphasis on humanitarian concern and a desire to align with broader international consensus. It showed that the final authority on foreign policy was now to be exercised from the top, based on a principled, coherent vision.

Timeline of Liberia's Evolving Stance at the UN on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

UN Resolution Title	Resolution's Purpose	Liberia's Vote	Significance
1947	Partition Plan for Palestine	In Favor	Initial vote influenced by US pressure and historical parallels drawn by early leaders.
1973	Severance of Diplomatic Ties	—	A deliberate foreign policy shift under President William Tolbert in response to the Yom Kippur War.
2023	Ceasefire in Gaza and Protection of Civilians	Initially against, then rescinded to vote in favor	A bellwether moment; presidential intervention to align foreign policy with a humanitarian and pro-peace stance.
2025	"New York Declaration"	In Favor	A definitive, public declaration of Liberia's new foreign policy direction and alignment with the global consensus.

The UN's New Consensus: The "New York Declaration"

Liberia's recent statement is not an isolated decision but part of a new, overwhelming wave of international momentum. This collective effort culminated in the UN General Assembly's September 12, 2025, endorsement of the "New York Declaration," a phased plan to end the nearly 80-year conflict. The resolution was overwhelmingly approved by the 193-member body with a vote of 142 to 10, with 12 abstentions, reflecting the international community's desire to open the door for peace. The resolution was co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, a partnership that underscores the cross-regional nature of the new consensus.

The declaration is a carefully engineered diplomatic framework. It is designed to create a path forward that addresses the legitimate concerns of all parties. It explicitly condemns the attacks committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and demands the release of all hostages. Furthermore, it calls for a "Hamas-free" government for Palestine and proposes a temporary international stabilization mission in Gaza to protect civilians and support reconstruction. This nuanced approach allows nations like Liberia to support a path to peace and statehood without being seen as condoning terrorism or one-sided violence. By its very design, the declaration refutes the claim by its opponents that it is a "one-sided" attack, as it contains some of the sharpest condemnations of Hamas ever endorsed by the UN.

This diplomatic momentum has already translated into concrete actions. In recent days, a growing number of countries, including key Western nations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, have formally recognized the state of Palestine as a direct result of this international push. The United Kingdom's Prime Minister stated that the recognition was an act to "keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution." This coordinated action signals a deliberate rebuke to the relentless assault on Gaza and an objection to the annexation of the West Bank, while attempting to preserve the viability of a future Palestinian state.

The Voices of Opposition and The On-the-Ground Obstacles

Despite the overwhelming international consensus, the path to a two-state solution remains fraught with significant obstacles. Acknowledging these challenges is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the situation. The UN's diplomatic push is in direct opposition to the political will of the primary parties to the conflict. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been resolute in its rejection of a Palestinian state. Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, has dismissed the UN's actions as "hollow gestures" and "theater" that "embolden Hamas."

The United States, Israel's closest ally, has consistently echoed this position, arguing that such resolutions undermine direct negotiations and reward Hamas. The US has vetoed multiple UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire and has characterized the UN's actions as "a gift to Hamas" and a "misguided and ill-timed publicity stunt." A recent US veto on September 18, 2025, blocked a resolution calling for an unconditional ceasefire and hostage release, demonstrating the consistent hardline stance of the United States.

Beyond the diplomatic impasse, the reality on the ground poses the greatest challenge to the two-state solution. The continued expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank threatens the viability of a sovereign, contiguous Palestinian state. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic, with the UN and aid groups warning that the Israeli offensive has led to acute starvation and a looming famine. The lack of a unified Palestinian government and the ongoing division between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas further complicate efforts to create a credible partner for peace, a point frequently cited by the US. The disconnect between the symbolic, multilateral consensus at the UN and the on-the-ground political will of the primary belligerents reveals that the international community's diplomatic efforts are an attempt to create a new imperative for peace that the parties themselves have been unable to find.

Liberia's New Seat at the Table: Implications for a New Era

Liberia's newly articulated foreign policy stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict takes on profound significance when viewed through the lens of its recent diplomatic achievements. During his address, President Boakai proudly noted that Liberia has been elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2026-2027 term, marking its first full tenure on the Council. This is a major diplomatic milestone, and President Boakai’s statement about the seat is telling: "While the nameplate during this two-year term will read 'Liberia,' the seat, however, belongs to Africa."

This new position gives Liberia a powerful megaphone on the world stage. By taking a clear and principled stance on the two-state solution, the nation is not merely making a symbolic gesture; it is setting the stage for how it intends to act during its Security Council term. Its public support for a multilateral framework and a principles-based solution signals a move away from the quiet, historically transactional diplomacy of the past towards a more assertive and principled foreign policy. It positions Liberia as a leader in global peacebuilding and a credible voice that can amplify the "common African position" on critical issues of peace and security, drawing on its own hard-earned experience in conflict resolution and democratic reform.

Liberia's decision to align with the global consensus on the two-state solution will undoubtedly be a key test of its commitment to human rights, multilateralism, and its self-proclaimed role as a "bridge to peace." The journey to a peaceful settlement is long and will be met with significant opposition. However, by taking a clear and public stance, Liberia has positioned itself to play a vital role in shaping the future of global diplomacy and demonstrating its readiness to navigate complex geopolitical pressures for the sake of a more just and peaceful world. The UNGA speech was not just a summary of a vote; it was a blueprint for a new era of Liberian foreign policy, one rooted in principle, solidarity, and a renewed commitment to the core tenets of the United Nations Charter.