Growing Initiatives to Divide Palestinian Territories into “Emirates” Raise Concerns; Lavrov Warns of Risks to Two-State Solution
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed concern over the increasing number of initiatives advocating the establishment of what is being referred to as a “Unified Palestinian Emirates”, warning that such proposals could complicate international efforts aimed at establishing a Palestinian state in line with United Nations resolutions.
In a press conference held following his participation in events organized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur, Lavrov stated: “I was surprised to learn about a new proposal for the creation of a Hebron Emirate, which may be a precursor to expanding the concept of a unified Palestinian emirate system. Although the idea may seem speculative at this stage, the fact that it is being discussed more frequently in the public sphere signals growing risks to the prospects of establishing a Palestinian state.”
Lavrov emphasized that these developments pose a serious challenge to the international community, especially given the international consensus on the need to establish an independent Palestinian state based on UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions.
He also noted that most ASEAN member states, along with Russia and other international partners, have voiced concern over the ongoing deterioration of humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territories, stating that the crises are no longer confined to Gaza, but are also affecting other areas, including the West Bank.
Lavrov further pointed to continued settlement activities in the West Bank, warning that such actions could significantly affect the viability of a political resolution.
“Israel continues to expand its settlements at a rapidly increasing pace, which could soon result in a substantial reduction of land under the control of the Palestinian Authority,” he said.
Lavrov’s remarks come amid media reports about a political initiative that surfaced in July 2025, as covered by The Wall Street Journal. The report referenced an official letter from five elders in the city of Hebron to the Israeli government, calling for mutual recognition and economic cooperation, and proposing the establishment of an administrative entity independent from the Palestinian Authority, with a stated commitment to non-violence and normalization.
The term “Unified Palestinian Emirates” refers to a political proposal advocating for the division of the West Bank and Gaza Strip into multiple semi-autonomous regions or “emirates,” each governed locally under a decentralized model, as an alternative to the conventional framework of a centralized Palestinian state.
