UN General Assembly Calls for Israel to End Occupation

The United Nations General Assembly voted in favor of a resolution demanding that Israel end its occupation of Gaza and the West Bank within one year on Wednesday, September 18th. The resolution passed with 124 votes in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions. Among the dissenting votes was the United States, Israel’s closest ally, which called the resolution “one-sided” for ignoring the role of Hamas in Gaza.

The resolution urges the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories and calls for international sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for maintaining Israel’s presence. The Palestinian UN Ambassador, Riyad Mansour, praised the vote, calling it a pivotal moment in the struggle for Palestinian freedom and self-determination. “This sends a clear message that the occupation must end,” Mansour said.

Israel’s UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, condemned the resolution, labeling it as support for “diplomatic terrorism” by the Palestinian Authority. He criticized the resolution for failing to mention Hamas’s violence and the ongoing crisis in Gaza as the conflict with Hamas approaches its one-year anniversary.

The resolution stems from a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which deemed Israel’s presence in the Palestinian territories unlawful. Though not legally binding, the resolution reflects growing international pressure on Israel. The General Assembly’s decision underscores global discontent with Israel’s continued occupation, echoing calls from human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, meanwhile, was engaged in mediation efforts in Egypt, attempting to broker a ceasefire amid escalating tensions. Despite the vote, Israel is unlikely to comply, prompting Palestinians to push for more stringent actions in the future.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to submit a report within three months on the resolution’s implementation. However, the likelihood of immediate progress remains uncertain as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to intensify.