UN Members Demand End to Israeli Occupation in Palestinian Territories
In a non-binding resolution, UN member states have called for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories within 12 months, along with sanctions for non-compliance. The resolution, based on an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice deeming the occupation since 1967 as “unlawful,” received 124 votes in favor, with 14 against and 43 abstentions.
Arab countries convened a special session to push for this resolution just days before the start of the General Assembly. The text demands that Israel cease its unlawful presence in the occupied territories within a year, with the initial draft proposing a shorter timeline of six months.
The resolution also calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, a halt to new settlements, return of seized land and property, and the possibility of displaced Palestinians returning. It urges states to cease arms provisions to Israel if there are concerns about their use in the occupied territories.
This historic move has been met with resistance from Israel and the United States, with the Palestinian Ambassador highlighting the urgency of the situation: “How many more Palestinians need to be killed before change finally takes place to stop this inhumanity?”
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