Portrait of António Guterres
Politician · event
Wikipedia (opens in new tab)

António Guterres on Israel-Palestine Conflict

Two-State solution advocate (strong)

TL;DR

António Guterres strongly advocates for an immediate ceasefire and a two-State solution based on international law and pre-1967 lines.

Key Points

  • He described the crisis in Gaza as “one of the darkest chapters of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict” as of September 2025.

  • António Guterres has asserted that Israeli settlement construction in the E1 area would sever the occupied West Bank and destroy territorial contiguity for a Palestinian State.

  • He repeated his appeals for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and unhindered humanitarian access in September 2025.

Summary

António Guterres has forcefully stated that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has reached a breaking point, emphasizing that a failure to act urgently will result in a one-State reality defined by perpetual occupation and inequality. He has repeatedly condemned the Israeli military operation in Gaza as compounding a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, noting that famine is a reality for the trapped population. The Secretary-General has called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and unhindered humanitarian access, asserting that UN resolutions and international law continue to be ignored.

He explicitly reiterates that the only just and sustainable path forward is the establishment of two independent, democratic States—Israel and Palestine—living side-by-side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as their capital, based on pre-1967 lines. Guterres warns that settlement expansion, de facto annexation, and forced displacement in the West Bank actively erode the two-State solution, making statehood for Palestinians a right, not a reward. He insists the conflict cannot merely be managed but must be resolved through decisive political will and courageous leadership from the international community.

Key Quotes

“Let's be clear: Statehood for the Palestinians is a right, not a reward”

Frequently Asked Questions

António Guterres's main position is a strong and urgent call for the implementation of the two-State solution, ensuring the establishment of independent Israeli and Palestinian states. He views this as the only just and sustainable path to peace in the Middle East.

The Secretary-General has repeatedly called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, demanding the unconditional release of all remaining hostages. He also insists upon ensuring unhindered humanitarian access to all people in need across the Strip, citing worsening starvation.

Yes, António Guterres has stated that relentless settlement expansion and forced displacement in the West Bank pose an existential threat to the two-State solution. He has characterized these developments as a flagrant violation of international law.