The UN General Assembly has passed a significant resolution, drafted by Palestine, urging Israel to terminate its “unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within the next year. The resolution garnered 124 votes in favor, 14 against—including Israel—and received 43 abstentions. As a non-member observer state, Palestine was unable to cast a vote.
This resolution stems from a July advisory opinion issued by the UN’s highest court, which concluded that Israel is occupying the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in violation of international law. The Palestinian ambassador hailed the decision as a pivotal moment in the quest for freedom and justice, while his Israeli counterpart criticized it as an act of “diplomatic terrorism.”
Although resolutions by the General Assembly are non-binding, they hold considerable symbolic and political significance, reflecting the perspectives of all 193 UN member states.
The latest resolution comes in the wake of nearly a year of conflict in Gaza, ignited by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 individuals taken hostage. Reports indicate that over 41,110 lives have been lost in Gaza since that attack, according to local health sources. The West Bank has also seen increased violence, with over 680 Palestinians and 22 Israelis reported killed during the same period.
The advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is similarly non-binding, stated that a panel found Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories to be unlawful and urged the country to rapidly end its presence. Additionally, Israel was advised to evacuate settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory and provide reparations for damages incurred.
Since 1967, Israel has established approximately 160 settlements accommodating around 700,000 Jewish residents in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which the ICJ deemed contrary to international law. Israel has consistently rejected these claims, with its prime minister declaring the court’s ruling to be rooted in “lies” and asserting the Jewish people’s right to their land.
The recent General Assembly resolution applauded the ICJ’s findings and stipulated that Israel must end its occupation within the stipulated timeframe and adhere to its international legal obligations.
The Palestinian Authority’s foreign ministry called the passing of the resolution a “historic moment” for the Palestinian cause and international law, highlighting that nearly two-thirds of UN member states supported it. This broad backing reflects a global consensus on the need to end the occupation and reaffirm the Palestinian right to self-determination.
Conversely, Israel’s foreign ministry condemned the resolution as a misrepresentation of reality that encourages terrorism and undermines peace prospects. They claimed it strengthens Hamas and accused the Palestinian Authority of pursuing a harmful agenda rather than a resolution for the conflict.
The United States, which opposed the resolution, criticized it as “one-sided” and warned that it fails to provide a viable path forward for peace.
The UK’s ambassador explained the decision to abstain, noting that while they support the ICJ’s main conclusions, they felt the resolution lacks the necessary clarity for advancing the goal of a negotiated two-state solution.
