UN to vote on Palestinian resolution demanding Israeli withdrawal

The United Nations General Assembly is expected to vote next week on a Palestinian draft resolution demanding that Israel remove "its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory" within six months.

The main goal of the draft resolution, authored by the Palestinian Authority and reviewed by Reuters, is to welcome the International Court of Justice's July advisory opinion, which stated that Israel's occupation of Palestinian areas and settlements is unlawful and should be ended.

The draft resolution comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with both sides struggling to find common ground for meaningful negotiations. International observers have expressed concern that the six-month deadline proposed in the resolution may be unrealistic given the complex nature of the conflict and the deeply entrenched positions of both parties. However, supporters of the resolution argue that a concrete timeline is necessary to push for tangible progress in resolving the long-standing dispute.

However, while the World Court's advisory judgment stated that this should be done "as soon as possible," the proposed General Assembly resolution specifies a six-month deadline.

The Arab Group, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement requested Monday that the 193-member United Nations General Assembly vote on September 18. The text of the eight-page draft resolution may alter before it is submitted to a vote.

The upcoming vote has sparked intense diplomatic activity, with various nations engaging in behind-the-scenes negotiations to garner support for their respective positions. Some member states are reportedly pushing for amendments to the resolution that would address concerns about regional stability and security. The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the final wording of the resolution and potentially influence the voting patterns of undecided countries.

The vote would take place just days before world leaders convene in New York for their annual meeting at the United Nations.

Israel's United Nations Ambassador, Danny Danon, urged the General Assembly to "reject this disgraceful resolution outright and instead adopt a resolution condemning Hamas and calling for the immediate release of all hostages."

The ICJ advisory ruling was not binding, but it bears weight under international law and may undermine support for Israel. A General Assembly resolution, while not binding, carries political weight.

The potential impact of the resolution, if passed, extends beyond the immediate Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Analysts suggest that it could have far-reaching implications for international law and the role of the United Nations in resolving protracted territorial disputes. Some experts argue that the resolution could set a precedent for addressing other long-standing conflicts around the world, while critics warn that it might complicate future peace negotiations by hardening positions on both sides.

In the 1967 Middle East conflict, Israel took the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem - regions of historic Palestine sought by the Palestinians for a state - and has since created and expanded settlements in the West Bank.

The current conflict in the Gaza Strip began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen broke into Israeli villages, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping over 250 hostages, according to Israeli estimates.

Since then, Israel's force has devastated large areas of the Palestinian enclave, displacing virtually all of its 2.3 million residents, causing terrible starvation and sickness, and killing at least 40,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials.

As the international community grapples with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, there are growing calls for a comprehensive approach to address both the immediate needs of civilians and the underlying causes of the conflict. Humanitarian organizations are urging member states to consider the dire situation on the ground when casting their votes, emphasizing the urgent need for a sustainable solution that ensures the safety and well-being of all people in the region.

On October 27, the General Assembly called for an immediate humanitarian truce. It then unanimously requested a quick humanitarian ceasefire in December.