The UN General Assembly on Wednesday approved a Palestinian-proposed resolution demanding that Israel end its “illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories” within a year.
The resolution received 124 votes in favour – including Spain –, 43 abstentions and 14 against. The latter group includes the United States, an ally of Israel, as well as Hungary, Argentina and the Czech Republic.
The text is based on the opinion issued last July by the International Court of Justicethe highest judicial body of the United Nations, in which it declared the Israeli occupation of Palestine illegal. Resolutions of the UN General Assembly are not legally binding, but they carry political weight and express the opinion of the international community.
Israel took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the Six-Day War in 1967 and has maintained a military occupation of this Palestinian territory ever since. However, the law of occupation does not apply in these territories, nor does it respect its legal obligations as an occupying power. In addition, it has also expanded its presence in the occupied areas with the continued establishment of illegal settlements.
The vote highlights Israel’s isolation just days before world leaders head to New York for their annual meeting at the United Nations headquarters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address the 193-member General Assembly on September 26, the same day as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to Reuters.
This is the first draft resolution formally presented by the Palestinian Authority since it gained additional rights and privileges within the UN.
