UN General Assembly to debate resolution on ending Israeli occupation
The UN member states are set to debate a push by the Palestinians to formally demand an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories within 12 months.
The draft resolution, due to be voted late Tuesday or Wednesday, “demands that Israel brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” and that this be done “no later than 12 months from the adoption.”
The draft resolution also demands the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Palestinian territories, a halt to new settlements, the return of seized land and property, and the possibility of return for displaced Palestinians.
The text is based around an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice calling Israel’s occupation since 1967 “unlawful”.
“Israel is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible,” read the opinion, demanded by the Assembly.
A paragraph calling on member states to halt arms exports to Israel disappeared from the draft text during negotiations, however.
Meanwhile, Arab countries have called for a special session of the assembly just days before dozens of heads of state descend on the UN headquarters this month to address the kick off of this year’s General Assembly session.
“The idea is you want to use the pressure of the international community in the General Assembly and the pressure of the historic ruling by the ICJ to force Israel to change its behavior,” said Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour.
In May, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of reconsidering Palestine’s full membership. The resolution also granted Palestine with additional participation rights. It is now recognized by 145 of 193 UN member states.
Several countries, including Spain, Norway, and Ireland, recognized Palestine as a state in late May amid mounting criticism of Israel’s genocidal campaign in the besieged Gaza Strip.
While Palestine is not a full member of the assembly, it is seeking full UN membership.
Full membership would not only need a vote by the General Assembly but would also require a Security Council recommendation. The United States vetoed a Security Council recommendation on the matter on April 18.
While the 15-member council is largely paralyzed on the ongoing Israeli genocidal campaign in Gaza, with the United States repeatedly vetoing censures of its ally Israel, the General Assembly has adopted several texts in support of Palestinian civilians.
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