Palestinian representative Ryad Mansour applauds the result of a vote during the emergency session on the legal consequences of Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories at United Nations Headquarters in New York, on September 18, 2024. (Bryan Smith / AFP)
Resolution put forward by Palestinians urges embargo on arms that might be used in territories; Foreign Ministry says ‘cynical’ motion harms peace, encourages terror
By Lazar Berman and Agencies
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution Wednesday demanding that Israel entirely pull out of Palestinian areas within a year, and called for an embargo on arms that Israel might use in those areas.
The Foreign Ministry panned the decision as “cynical international politics” that would encourage terrorism and harm the chances for peace.
The resolution called for Israel to “end without delay its unlawful presence” in “Occupied Palestinian Territory” within 12 months, including all soldiers and civilians.
The resolution welcomed a July ruling by the International Court of Justice that said Israel’s control of Palestinian territories and settlements is illegal and should be withdrawn.
The advisory by the highest United Nations court, also known as the World Court, said this should be done “as rapidly as possible,” while the General Assembly resolution imposed a 12-month deadline.
The UN also called on states to “take steps towards ceasing the importation of any products originating in the Israeli settlements, as well as the provision or transfer of arms, munitions and related equipment to Israel… where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they may be used in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
The resolution was sponsored by the “State of Palestine” and 29 other countries, mostly Muslim nations. The UAE was the only Arab country that has recognized Israel to decline adding its name to the sponsors (though it voted in favor of the resolution).
Some 124 countries supported the measure, 14 opposed it, and 43 abstained. Israel, the US, Czechia, and Argentina were the largest countries opposing, along with Pacific island nations. Paraguay and Malawi also opposed the measure.