The United Nations General Assembly is set to vote on a resolution put forth by the Palestinians demanding that Israel end its 'unlawful presence' in Gaza and the occupied West Bank within a year. The resolution also calls for the withdrawal of Israeli military forces and the evacuation of all settlers from the region.
The vote comes as Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza nears its first anniversary and violence in the West Bank escalates. The war was initiated by Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7.
The Palestinian U.N. ambassador emphasized the existential threat faced by Palestinians and called for an end to Israel's decades-long occupation, advocating for Palestinians to return home to live in peace and freedom.
On the other hand, Israel's ambassador to the U.N. urged member nations to reject the resolution, labeling it as an attempt to destroy Israel through diplomatic means. He criticized the resolution for not addressing Hamas' actions and distorting facts.
If passed, the resolution would not have legal binding but would reflect global opinion. The International Court of Justice ruled in July that Israel's presence in Palestinian territories is unlawful and must cease, prompting the drafting of this resolution.
The resolution advocates for an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting peacefully with Israel. The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. expressed concerns about the resolution's flaws and its potential impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The resolution also calls for reparations to be paid to Palestinians for damages caused by the occupation, sanctions on violators of international law, and restrictions on arms exports to Israel. Despite these demands, it is unlikely that Israel will comply with the resolution.
For more updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict, visit AP's war coverage.
