Thu Sep 19 07:44:43 UTC 2024: ## UN General Assembly Demands End to Israeli Occupation Within a Year
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories within one year, with 124 member states voting in favor. The resolution, which is non-binding, also calls for the imposition of sanctions on Israel if it does not comply.
The resolution passed on Wednesday, with 14 countries voting against and 43 abstaining. It comes days before world leaders gather in New York for the UNGA’s annual general debate, where they will deliver speeches from September 24th.
The resolution has been met with mixed reactions. Palestinian leaders, including Mahmoud Abbas, hailed it as a “historic” step towards achieving Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
However, Israel has condemned the resolution as “shameful” and “diplomatic terrorism,” arguing that it undermines peace efforts and ignores the threat posed by Hamas, which controls Gaza. The US also criticized the resolution, deeming it “one-sided” and potentially harmful to peace negotiations.
The resolution highlights the ongoing tension surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and underscores the international community’s growing concern over Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. Many countries, including those in the European Union and the Arab world, expressed their commitment to Palestinian self-determination and urged Israel to comply with the resolution’s demands.
Human rights organizations and UN officials have also called on Israel to end its occupation, citing its harmful impact on the Palestinian people and the need for a just and lasting peace. The resolution sends a clear message to Israel that its occupation is increasingly viewed as illegal and unsustainable, putting pressure on the Israeli government to engage in serious peace negotiations with Palestinian leadership.
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