The UN General Assembly Adopts Resolution Demanding Israel’s Withdrawal
NEW YORK — In a historic move, the UN General Assembly has approved a resolution drafted by Palestine, calling for Israel to end its “unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within a year.
With 124 votes in favor, 14 against (including Israel), and 43 abstentions, the resolution sends a strong message. Despite Palestine’s status as a non-member observer state, it played a pivotal role in this decision.
This resolution builds upon a July advisory opinion from the UN’s highest court, which declared Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip as a violation of international law.
The Palestinian ambassador hailed the vote as a “turning point in our struggle for freedom and justice,” while his Israeli counterpart condemned it as “diplomatic terrorism.”
While non-binding, General Assembly resolutions hold significant symbolic and political weight, representing the collective stance of all 193 UN member states.
This development comes after nearly a year of conflict in Gaza, initiated by Hamas attacks on Israel. The toll includes over 1,200 casualties and 251 hostages. In Gaza alone, more than 41,110 lives have been lost, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry.
Violence has also surged in the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of over 680 Palestinians and 22 Israelis. The ICJ’s advisory opinion, though not legally binding, underscored Israel’s violation of international law and the need for prompt action.
Israel’s establishment of 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, housing 700,000 Jews since 1967, has been a contentious issue. The ICJ deemed these settlements illegal and called for their evacuation.
While Israel disputes these claims, the General Assembly resolution echoes the ICJ’s stance, urging Israel to withdraw from the Occupied Palestinian Territory within 12 months.
Palestine sees this as a historic moment, emphasizing the global consensus on ending the occupation and upholding Palestinian rights. In contrast, Israel views the resolution as detached from reality and detrimental to peace efforts.
The US, which opposed the resolution, criticized it for being one-sided and failing to address core issues. The UK abstained, citing the resolution’s shortcomings in advancing a two-state solution.
As tensions escalate and diplomatic battles unfold, the resolution’s impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains uncertain.
