The United Nations General Assembly will adopt a Palestinian-drafted resolution on Wednesday calling on Israel to end “its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory” within 12 months.
The move will isolate Israel just days before world leaders travel to New York for the annual meeting of the United Nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address the 193-member General Assembly on Sept. 26, the same day as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The draft resolution seeks to accommodate the July advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice which stated that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements is illegal and must be withdrawn.
The advisory opinion of the United Nations Supreme Court, also known as the World Court, says this should be done “as expeditiously as possible”, even though the draft General Assembly resolution provides for a 12-month deadline.
The draft resolution is the first to be formally presented by the Palestinian Authority since it was granted additional rights and privileges this month, including a seat among the UN members in the assembly hall and the right to propose draft resolutions.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged countries to vote no on Wednesday. Washington — an ally of Israel — has long opposed unilateral measures that undermine the prospect of a two-state solution.
The ICJ advisory opinion is not binding, but it carries weight under international law and could weaken support for Israel. A General Assembly resolution is also not binding, but it carries political weight. There is no veto power in the assembly.
“Every country has a vote and the world is watching us,” Palestinian Ambassador to the U.N. Riyad Mansour told the General Assembly on Tuesday. “Please be on the right side of history. With international law. With freedom. With peace.”
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon on Tuesday criticized the General Assembly for failing to condemn the October 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian militants Hamas, which triggered Israel’s assault on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
He rejected the Palestinian draft text, saying: “Let’s call it this: this resolution is diplomatic terrorism, using the tools of diplomacy not to build bridges but to destroy them.”
Source: Terra
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