The UN General Assembly resolution calls for Israel to withdraw from Gaza within 12 months and to cease its occupation of Palestinian territories | WPN World People News

On September 18, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted to pass a resolution proposed by Palestine, calling for Israel to withdraw from Gaza within one year and to end its occupation of Palestinian territories, including dismantling parts of the separation wall built in the West Bank. The vote resulted in 124 in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions. While UNGA resolutions are not legally binding, they hold significant political weight internationally. This has put Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a diplomatically isolated position, especially with his planned speech at the UNGA on the 26th.

The resolution is part of the Palestinian National Authority's (PNA) new rights, including UNGA membership and the ability to propose resolutions. The first resolution called for Israel to "immediately end its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories."

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour stated, "We are using the pressure of the international community at the UNGA and the historic ruling of the International Court to compel Israel to change its behavior." He urged countries to vote on the "right side of history" and to uphold international law, freedom, and peace. The Palestinian Islamic group Hamas welcomed the resolution, viewing it as international support for the Palestinian people.

Fourteen countries, including the U.S. and Israel, voted against the resolution. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein criticized it as a "distorted decision" that encourages terrorism and undermines peace, reflecting the cynicism of international politics.

European countries had mixed positions: France, Portugal, Malta, Belgium, Spain, and Norway voted in favor, while Germany, Sweden, Italy, the UK, Austria, and the Netherlands abstained. The Czech Republic and Hungary voted against.

The resolution also called for a halt to the import of any products from Israeli settlements and to stop supplying or transferring weapons, ammunition, and related equipment to Israel, particularly if there is a risk of those weapons being used in Palestinian territories.