The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories within 12 months, a non-binding text that has provoked a strong reaction from Israel. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 124 in favor, 14 against, including Israel, the United States, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Argentina, and 43 abstentions.
The text is a response to the opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July, which had ruled that Israel’s continued presence in the Palestinian Territories occupied since 1967 is “unlawful” and that Israel must end it “as soon as possible”.
A Right of Return for Displaced Palestinians
The 12-month deadline is a change from an earlier version of the text, which called for a six-month period. The resolution also calls for a withdrawal of Israeli forces, an end to new settlements, the restitution of seized land and property, and the right of return for displaced Palestinians.
The text calls on member states to take measures to halt imports from Israeli settlements and to stop supplying weapons to Israel if there are “reasonable” grounds to believe they could be used in the Palestinian Territories. Sanctions are also suggested against those involved in maintaining the Israeli presence in these territories.
Support and criticism
Palestinian representative Riyad Mansour vigorously defended the resolution in his address to the Assembly, calling on states to “choose the right side of history.” “How many more Palestinians must be killed before change finally comes to stop this inhumanity?” he asked, stressing the urgency of action, particularly ahead of the annual General Assembly meeting.
Israel has sharply criticized the new text. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon called the resolution “a shameful decision that supports the diplomatic terrorism of the Palestinian Authority.” He added that “those who contribute to this circus are not just spectators, but collaborators. Every vote in support of this circus fuels violence and emboldens those who reject peace.”
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield also denounced the resolution’s “inflammatory language,” particularly the omission of the fact that “Hamas, a terrorist organization, has power in Gaza.” She criticized the text for being “one-sided” and for not contributing to a two-state solution.
