Iran Proposes Referendum as Fair Solution to Palestinian Issue at BRICS Summit
Rio de Janeiro, The Gulf Observer: The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterated its long-standing position that a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue lies in holding a comprehensive referendum involving all main residents of Palestine — Jews, Christians, and Muslims. This was stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during a luncheon session at the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Addressing participants on Sunday, Araqchi rejected the widely advocated two-state solution, arguing that it has failed to yield results due to persistent obstructions by the Israeli regime. He emphasized that the proposed Palestinian state, under such an arrangement, would lack essential elements of sovereignty, including borders, authority, and international respect.
“The two-state solution has not led to peace because the Israeli regime is the main obstacle to its implementation,” Araqchi said, according to a press release from Iran’s Foreign Ministry. “Moreover, such a solution reduces a Palestinian government to a mere municipality, devoid of meaningful sovereignty.”
Araqchi asserted that Iran considers a democratic referendum — with the participation of all indigenous residents of historic Palestine, regardless of religion — as the only fair and viable resolution. Drawing parallels to the democratic transformation in post-apartheid South Africa, he noted that stability there was achieved through inclusivity and equal participation, not through territorial division.
He further remarked, “As long as the Palestinian issue is not resolved justly, and the right to self-determination is denied, and the Zionist regime’s atrocities continue, there will be no peace or stability in the region.”
Referring to Iran’s historical stance, Araqchi recalled that as early as 1948, Iran opposed the UN partition plan, warning that it would only conceal deeper unrest. “Our representative at the United Nations in 1948 described the partition resolution as hiding the fire beneath the ashes — a warning that history has sadly validated,” he added.
The top Iranian diplomat also expressed Iran’s reservations about the two-state solution language included in the final statement of the BRICS Summit. He stated that Iran would formally register its objection through a diplomatic note.
In closing, Araqchi stressed that genuine peace in the region is only achievable through justice and equal rights for all Palestinians — Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike — in a unified and democratic homeland.
