In a move that has stunned observers across the Arab world, Algeria voted in favor of a landmark declaration at the United Nations General Assembly recognizing the legitimacy of the State of Israel and calling for normalization of relations with Tel Aviv. The seven-page document, adopted on September 14, 2025, outlines a framework for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. It urges all parties to commit to “tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps” toward peace, and calls on Arab nations to embrace diplomatic and economic ties with Israel. Algeria’s vote marks a dramatic departure from its long-standing position as one of the most vocal defenders of the Palestinian cause and a staunch opponent of normalization.
Equally striking is the declaration’s condemnation of Hamas for its October 2023 attacks on Israeli civilians. The resolution calls for the group’s disarmament and exclusion from any future governance structure in Gaza, citing its role in destabilizing efforts toward peace. Algeria’s endorsement of this clause has raised eyebrows, given its historical support for Palestinian resistance movements and its repeated denunciations of Israeli military actions. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had previously described Palestine as a “sacred cause” and criticized Arab states that normalized relations with Israel, making this shift all the more unexpected.
Analysts are divided over the motivations behind Algeria’s vote. Some interpret it as a strategic recalibration aimed at easing international pressure and improving relations with Western powers, particularly in light of Algeria’s recent economic resurgence and growing interest in foreign investment. Others suggest it may reflect a broader regional trend toward pragmatism, as Arab governments reassess their positions in response to shifting geopolitical dynamics and the diminishing influence of traditional ideological divides.
The vote has sparked intense debate within Algeria and across the region. While some welcome the move as a courageous step toward peace and modernization, others view it as a betrayal of the Palestinian struggle and a capitulation to external interests. Regardless of the motivations, Algeria’s decision signals a significant turning point in its foreign policy and could reshape its role in Middle Eastern diplomacy for years to come.