UN General Assembly supports resolution calling for end to Israeli occupation

The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly supported a Palestinian-drafted resolution on Wednesday demanding that Israel end its “unlawful presence” in Gaza and the occupied West Bank within a year.

The vote in the 193-member world body was 124-14, with 43 abstentions. Among those in opposition was the United States, Israel’s closest ally.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, called the vote a turning point "in our struggle for freedom and justice.”

“It sends a clear message that Israel’s occupation must end as soon as possible and that the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination must be realised" he added.

Israel’s UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, denounced the vote as “a shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic terrorism.”

While the resolution is not legally binding, the extent of its support is symbolic in the 193 member body, which is not allowed to vetoe decisions.

Member states called on to impose sanctions

The resolution demands the withdrawal of all Israeli forces and the evacuation of settlers from the occupied Palestinian territories “without delay.”

It also urges countries to impose sanctions on those responsible for maintaining Israel’s presence in the territories and halt arms exports to Israel if they’re suspected of being used there.

In addition, the resolution calls for Israel to pay reparations to Palestinians for the damage caused by its occupation, calling on countries to take steps to prevent trade or investments that maintain Israel’s presence in the territories.

The resolution stems from an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – the UN’s top court – which found that Israel’s presence in the Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end.

The General Assembly’s consideration of the resolution began Tuesday with Mansour stressing that any country that thinks the Palestinian people “will accept a life of servitude” — or that claims peace is possible without a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — is “not being realistic.”

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International also urged Israel to heed the call to end its occupation.

The resolution asks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to submit a report to the General Assembly within three months on putting the resolution in place, “including any actions taken by Israel, other states and international organisations, including the United Nations."

Mansour said most likely Israel won’t pay attention to the resolution and that the Palestinians will then follow up with a stronger one.