The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has passed a nonbinding resolution demanding an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories within 12 months. The resolution, adopted with a 124-12 vote and 43 abstentions, calls on Israel to make reparations to Palestinians for damages caused by the occupation. This move was hailed as historic by Palestine and supported by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The UNGA’s vote comes at a time when Israel is engaged in a devastating war on Gaza, leading to a high death toll among Palestinians. The US, along with Israel and a few other countries, opposed the resolution, while many countries voted in favor. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the resolution and urged countries to pressure Israel to comply with it.
The origins of the occupation date back to the 1967 war, when Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. The international community considers the occupation illegal, with Israel also violating the Fourth Geneva Convention by building settlements in the West Bank. Most countries believe that Israel and Palestine should negotiate a resolution without external pressure, but some, like the US, do not apply this standard to other conflicts.
Despite opposition from some countries, the resolution has renewed hope for Palestinians seeking freedom and independence, with advocates calling for an end to Israel’s occupation as soon as possible. Groups like Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East have criticized countries like Canada for abstaining from the vote, calling it a refusal to stand up for international law and Palestinian freedom.
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