In a decision hailed by Palestine as historic, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling on Israel to end its illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories within a year.

The resolution was submitted by Palestine – a permanent observer state at the UN.

The nonbinding measure passed a 124-14 vote, with 43 countries abstaining.

The United States, which claims to pursue a two-state solution to the conflict, joined Israel in opposing the UNGA resolution, as did Czechia, Hungary, Argentina and several small Pacific island states.

Several US allies, including France, Finland and Mexico voted in favour of the resolution. The United Kingdom, Ukraine and Canada abstained.

The UNGA demanded that “Israel brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which constitutes a wrongful act of a continuing character entailing its international responsibility, and do so no later than 12 months”.

It also called on Israel to make reparations to Palestinians for damages incurred by the occupation.

The UNGA, whose mission includes promoting “respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms”, includes every sovereign country in the world, so Wednesday’s vote underscores the depth of the international opposition to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

The resolution backed 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 court ruled in July that Israel is abusing its status as an occupying power, stressing that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are illegal.

Most of the international community considers the occupation illegal.

However, the US argues that Palestinians and Israelis should negotiate a resolution to the issues without external pressure – a standard that Washington does not apply to other conflicts, including the Russian occupation of parts of Ukraine.

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, an advocacy group, slammed Canada’s abstention as “a cowardly refusal to stand up for international law and Palestinian freedom.”

“All states are obliged to help bring an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories as soon as possible, but Canada just abstained,” the group said in a social media post.

Countries Urged To Pressure Israel To Adhere To Resolution

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the resolution and urged countries across the world to take steps to pressure Israel to adhere to it.

“The international consensus over this resolution renews the hopes of our Palestinian people – who are facing a comprehensive aggression and genocide in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem – to achieve its aspirations of freedom and independence and establishing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Mahmoud Abbas

Additionally, EU top diplomat, Josep Borrell hailed the resolution.

He made the remark in a statement issued following UN General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution demanding Israel end “its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory” within 12 months.

“The UN General Assembly has forcefully reaffirmed its commitment to the realization of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including its right to an independent and sovereign State, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly.”
Josep Borrel

“In line with its longstanding common position and UN Security Council Resolutions, I reiterate the call for a lasting and sustainable peace, and reaffirm that the EU will not recognise changes to the 1967 borders, nor Israeli sovereignty over the territories occupied since 1967, unless agreed by parties,” he added.