Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has welcomed the adoption of the New York Declaration by the United Nations General Assembly, describing it as an important step in the global community’s response to the Israel–Palestine conflict.

The declaration, endorsed earlier this month by most member states, explicitly condemned Hamas as a terrorist organisation for the first time, while reaffirming Israel’s right to exist and the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and security.

Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea supports the declaration’s message but emphasised that peace must start from within the region itself. A meeting at the ‘peace table’ will set pace for settlement of everything else in the Israeli–Gaza conflict.

“If you want peace, both sides must sit at the table together. Dialogue must come first before any solution is decided upon,” Prime Minister Marape said.

He urged Hamas to take responsibility as the first step.“Take responsibility, apologise, and release the hostages. If you claim to be the voice of the Gaza and Palestinian people, then step up for your people and for peace. The world will protect you when you show responsibility.”

The Prime Minister also appealed to Israel to “give peace a chance” by joining calls for a truce and urged the United Nations to lead an immediate effort to facilitate such talks.

He reiterated that terrorism cannot and must not be rewarded.“You cannot compel political solutions at the backdrop of terrorism. Hamas must lay down its arms, release hostages unconditionally, and stop holding the citizens of Gaza to ransom. This will enable Israel to come to the table for peace and long-term political solution.”

While acknowledging international calls for a two-state solution, Prime Minister Marape questioned whether the proposal reflects the genuine will of both parties in conflict. “Real peace between Israel and Palestine must be authentically born from the land and people themselves—not imposed on one or another.”

He reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s firm support for the preservation of the State of Israel, while also recognising the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.“When Hamas makes that step forward, then Israel must also step forward. That is how real peace will begin—at the table, not at the barrel of a gun.”

Prime Minister Marape drew on Papua New Guinea’s own experience of ending conflict through negotiation, highlighting the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement.“Papua New Guinea is proof that peace is possible when both sides put down arms and sit at the table. Dialogue, not violence, ended our conflict and it can end others.”

He further called on Israel to exercise maximum restraint to ensure innocent civilians are not caught in the crossfire, noting that civilians have too often borne the heaviest burden in conflicts worldwide.

Prime Minister Marape concluded that Papua New Guinea will continue to back genuine dialogue, humanitarian protection, and locally driven solutions in line with the principles outlined in the New York Declaration.