The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for a resolution on Wednesday, calling on Israel to end its illegal occupation of Palestinian territories within one year. The non-binding measure passed with 124 votes in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions, highlighting the broad international opposition to Israel’s ongoing presence in the occupied territories.

Key Points of the Resolution:

• End of Occupation: The resolution calls for Israel to withdraw from Palestinian territories within a year.

• Arms Restrictions: It urges states to cease arms sales to Israel if there are reasonable grounds to believe the weapons may be used in Palestinian territories.

• ICJ Ruling: The resolution supports the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion, which declared Israel’s presence in the Palestinian territories unlawful, particularly focusing on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

International Reactions:

• Israel: The Israeli government rejected the resolution, calling it “a distorted decision” that encourages terrorism and harms the chances for peace.

• Palestinian Leadership: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the resolution, stating that it renews hope for Palestinians struggling against aggression in Gaza and the West Bank.

• Hamas: The group expressed approval, seeing it as international solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

• United States: The US, Israel’s key ally, voted against the resolution, reaffirming its position that the conflict should be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

• Other Nations: Countries like France, Finland, and Mexico supported the resolution, while the UK, Ukraine, and Canada abstained. Advocacy groups criticized Canada’s abstention as a failure to stand up for international law and Palestinian rights.

Context of the Occupation:

Israel has occupied the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem since the 1967 war. International law prohibits the acquisition of land by force, and Israeli settlements in these territories are considered illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Despite this, Israel has continued its settlement expansion, with the US arguing that any resolution should come through negotiations rather than external pressure.

The Gaza Conflict:

The resolution comes amidst Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in over 41,000 Palestinian deaths. The ICJ has also issued rulings urging Israel to take steps to prevent genocide in Gaza and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the territory. This UNGA resolution signals significant global opposition to Israel's occupation, even as key players like the US and Israel remain resistant. The outcome underscores a continued international focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly amid the current war in Gaza

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/18/un-general-assembly-overwhelmingly-calls-for-end-of-israeli-occupation