The majority of countries have supported a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that calls for Israel to end its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory within a year. The resolution, passed on Wednesday, is not legally binding but includes strong criticism of Israel and garnered support from many Western nations that have traditionally backed Israel. This marked the first time Palestine introduced its own draft resolution for voting in the General Assembly, thanks to enhanced rights obtained as an observer state in May. The resolution demands Israel to end its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, withdraw military forces, cease settlement activity, remove settlers from occupied land, dismantle parts of the separation wall, return seized property, allow displaced Palestinians to return, and make reparations for damages caused by the occupation. This resolution was based on an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice that declared the occupation illegal and called on all states not to support it. The resolution was approved by 124 member states, with 43 abstaining and 14 rejecting it. Countries like the US and Israel opposed the resolution, while nations across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Latin America supported it. The resolution, although nonbinding, is not expected to bring immediate change on the ground for Palestinians, who continue to face violence, demolitions, and displacement.
