Arab and Islamic Nations Hail UN Resolution Calling for End to Israeli Occupation
On Wednesday, Arab and Islamic countries and organizations celebrated the United Nations General Assembly's historic resolution urging Israel to conclude its occupation of Palestinian territories by 2024. This momentous decision was welcomed by nations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Jordan, alongside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Palestinian Foreign Ministry hailed the resolution as a pivotal moment for international law and the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the overwhelming support it received from 124 UN member states, while only 14 opposed it.
The resolution, which was drafted by the Palestinian Authority, calls for an end to Israel's
illegal presence in the occupied territories. It aims to reinforce the advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice issued in July, which condemned the Israeli occupation and called for the dismantling of settlements and the removal of settlers. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude to countries that supported the resolution, viewing it as a referendum on the necessity for the occupation to cease.
Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, also welcomed the UN vote, describing it as a significant victory for the Palestinian people and an affirmation of Israel's growing isolation on the international stage. The group urged supportive nations to intensify efforts to isolate Israel further and pressure it to halt its military actions.
In official statements, Qatar's Foreign Ministry highlighted that the resolution reflects the justice of the Palestinian cause and called for compliance with international law to uphold the Palestinian right to self-determination. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for actionable steps towards a just resolution of the Palestinian issue.
The OIC reiterated its support for the Palestinian people's legitimate rights and called on the global community to ensure Israel complies with international law. The Gulf Cooperation Council also expressed its backing for the resolution, stressing the illegality of Israeli actions in the occupied territories.
This UN resolution comes amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israeli military actions since October 7 have resulted in significant civilian casualties and humanitarian crises. As the international community calls for an end to hostilities, Israel's government continues to assert its claims over the West Bank, defying international law and UN resolutions.
