In the statement, Israel is required to withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories within 12 months.
The UN General Assembly has condemned Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories.
According to a statement prepared by the Palestinian Authority, Israel must end its illegal presence in the Palestinian territories within 12 months. 124 member countries voted in favor of the declaration. 14 countries voted against and 43 countries abstained.
Finland voted on the declaration on behalf of.
The declaration is not legally binding, but it carries political weight. There is no right of veto in the UN General Assembly.
The statement follows a July ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories is illegal and that the occupation should end as soon as possible.
This is the first statement presented by the Palestinian Authority in the UN General Assembly. This month, the Palestinian Authority was granted more rights in the General Assembly, including a seat among UN member states in the assembly hall and the right to present draft statements.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged member states to vote against the declaration.
The decision increases international pressure on Israel just before the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly in New York on September 26.
Source: Reuters