New York, 24 September 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The United States on Tuesday criticized the UN Security Council for the fact that several major Western countries have recently recognized Palestinian statehood.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz called a UN conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia on Monday to promote the two-state solution in the Middle East "performative," in comments to the Security Council.

"Unfortunately, yesterday's conference spoke to domestic audiences, but it will prolong this tragic war in Gaza, and it will prolong the suffering," Waltz said, adding that Palestinian militant organization Hamas "stands emboldened today after that conference."

Waltz also repeated claims by US President Donald Trump that the Palestinian group has turned down several reasonable offers for a ceasefire in Gaza, which Hamas rejected as recently as Tuesday.

UN Secretary General António Guterres has welcomed the conference, speaking of "a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of the last few months."

During the conference, which was held ahead of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly, France and Belgium recognized the state of Palestine. A day earlier the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal had done the same.

Other countries also expressed their solidarity with Palestine and the people in the Gaza Strip in the Security Council.

"Gaza is a man-made catastrophe," said Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon. The situation there is dominated by "death and despair," she said.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called on Israel to "change its course immediately. The war in Gaza must end."

Waltz also complained that the special meeting of the Security Council had been scheduled for Tuesday. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, began on Monday evening and continues until Wednesday.

"We find it deeply regrettable that Council Members have opted to convene this high-level UN Security Council briefing on Gaza on Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year – knowing full well that that decision excludes Israel," Waltz said.

"Frankly, colleagues, it's a testament to how this Council has prioritized a lot of performance over serious efforts to actually advance peace," he said.