UN General Assembly Demands Israel End Occupation of Palestinian
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding that Israel end its unlawful occupation of the Palestinian territories within one year.
A total of 124 countries voted in favor of the resolution, while 14 nations, including the United States, opposed it.
Among the 43 countries that abstained were the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ukraine, India, and Germany.
The resolution acknowledges a July advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that deemed Israel's occupation and settlement activities illegal and called for their immediate withdrawal.
The ICJ, the highest judicial authority of the United Nations, advised that Israel’s occupation in the Palestinian territories should be reversed "as rapidly as possible."
The resolution also calls for Israel to provide reparations to Palestinians for damage caused to individuals and entities in the occupied territories.
Additionally, the resolution urges for sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel.
The General Assembly, consisting of 193 member states, further calls on countries to halt the importation of goods produced in Israeli settlements and to stop the transfer of arms or related equipment to Israel when there are reasonable grounds to believe they may be used in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, addressed the Assembly, stating that no occupying power has a veto over the inalienable rights of those under occupation.
"Those who believe the Palestinian people will accept a life of servitude and apartheid are not being realistic," Mansour said.
He added, "Those who think peace is possible without a just resolution to the Palestinian question are also not being realistic."
Mansour urged countries to stand on the "right side of history" by voting in favor of the resolution, aligning with international law and peace.
The United States Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, called on countries to reject the resolution.
Washington, a key arms supplier and ally to Israel, has historically opposed any pro-Palestine resolutions at the UN.
Unlike the Security Council, no member state in the General Assembly has veto power.
The timing of the resolution comes days before global leaders are set to convene in New York for the annual UN General Assembly.
In May, the General Assembly voted to reconsider Palestine’s bid for full UN membership, which is currently recognized by 145 of the 193 member states.
Several countries, including Spain, Norway, and Ireland, recognized Palestine as a state in late May amid increasing criticism of Israeli genocidal war in the Gaza Strip.
While the UN Security Council remains largely gridlocked on addressing Israel’s aggression in Gaza due to repeated US vetoes, the General Assembly has passed multiple resolutions in support of Palestinian civilians.