On September 20, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories within one year. The resolution, which is non-binding, was adopted with 124 votes in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions. The Palestinian delegation referred to the adoption as “historic.”
This resolution comes at a critical moment, as it isolates Israel just ahead of several speeches from world leaders scheduled to begin on September 24 in New York. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian envoy, labeled the voting a turning point in “our struggle for freedom and justice.” He emphasized that it delivers a clear message that Israel’s occupation must cease swiftly and that the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination must be realized.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, criticized the resolution, calling it a “shameful decision” that supports the Palestinian Authority’s “diplomatic terrorism.” He pointed out that the General Assembly should have condemned Hamas and demanded the release of remaining hostages rather than supporting Palestinian claims.
Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, welcomed the adoption and urged countries around the world to pressure Israel to comply with the resolution. He stressed that this international consensus revives hope for Palestinians facing extensive aggression and genocide.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the resolution as a “distorted decision” detached from reality, stating that it promotes terrorism. The U.S. mission to the UN described the resolution as one-sided, noting that it ignores Hamas’s ongoing power in Gaza, which gives Israel the right to defend itself.
Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, stated that the adoption confirms “the Palestinians’ right to reclaim their occupied land.” The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), comprising 57 predominantly Muslim states, expressed that the decision reflects the international consensus on the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, commented that the General Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to realizing the Palestinian people’s right to an independent and sovereign state. UN Secretary-General Agnes Callamard stated that the resolution clearly shows that Israel’s 57-year occupancy “can no longer be accepted.” She called for Israel to comply with the resolution immediately and withdraw its forces from the occupied territories.
Louis Charbonneau, UN director for an international human rights organization, declared that Israel should promptly heed the demands of the vast majority of UN member states.