UN General Assembly Calls for Israel to End 'Illegal Occupation' of Palestinian Territory

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to adopt a resolution demanding that Israel end its "unlawful presence" in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. With 124 countries in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions , the resolution calls for Israel to withdraw its military forces, halt settlement activities, evacuate settlers, and dismantle parts of the separation wall in the West Bank. It also demands the return of seized land and assets and reparations for damages caused since the 1967 occupation.

The resolution is based on a July advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which declared Israel's occupation unlawful and called on all states not to recognize it. The General Assembly also emphasized that Israel must be held accountable for violations of international law, including human rights abuses , and highlighted the need for reparations and an international mechanism to document damages.

The resolution urged UN member states to take concrete steps, including sanctions and halting arms transfers, to address Israel's occupation. It also called for an international conference on a two-state solution and temporarily adjourned the Assembly's emergency session, allowing it to reconvene at a later date.

Finally, the General Assembly has temporarily adjourned its tenth emergency special session, which can be reconvened at the request of Member States. This session, a continuation of discussions last held in May amid the Gaza crisis, focused on Palestine's rights in Assembly meetings. While a resolution was adopted granting additional participation rights to Palestine, it did not extend voting rights, the ability to present candidacies for UN Main Organs like the Security Council or Economic and Social Council ( ECOSOC).