Wed Sep 18 04:22:52 UTC 2024: ## UN General Assembly Votes to Condemn Israel’s Presence in Palestinian Territories

**UNITED NATIONS (AP)** – The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a non-binding resolution on Wednesday demanding Israel end its “unlawful presence” in Gaza and the occupied West Bank within a year. The resolution, supported by 124 member states with 14 opposed and 43 abstaining, also calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the evacuation of Israeli settlements from the territories.

The resolution follows a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July that declared Israel’s presence in the Palestinian territories illegal. The ICJ opinion, while not legally binding, fueled the push for the UN resolution.

The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, described the Palestinian people as facing an “existential threat” due to Israel’s occupation. He stressed the need for an end to the occupation and for Palestinians to be able to return home to live in peace and freedom.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, condemned the resolution as “an attempt to destroy Israel through diplomatic terrorism.” He criticized the resolution for ignoring Hamas’ atrocities and twisting facts to present a distorted view of the conflict.

The resolution’s adoption, while not legally binding, carries significant weight as a reflection of world opinion. It also calls for Israel to pay reparations for damages caused by the occupation and for countries to take steps to prevent trade or investments that support Israel’s presence in the territories.

The United States, while not explicitly opposing the resolution, voiced concerns about its flaws, arguing it went beyond the ICJ ruling and did not acknowledge Hamas as a terrorist organization. The US also expressed concern that the resolution could complicate efforts towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The resolution, while unlikely to be immediately implemented by Israel, marks a significant step in the international community’s condemnation of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. It sets the stage for further diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict.

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