The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution affirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, with 172 countries voting in favour. Israel, the United States, and five other nations opposed the resolution, while eight countries abstained.
The resolution shows global opposition to Israel’s occupation and settlement activities, which it says undermine the Palestinian people’s ability to establish an independent state. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) previously deemed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, calling for its immediate cessation due to its adverse impact on Palestinian self-determination.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the resolution, describing it as a reaffirmation of a fundamental and inalienable right enshrined in the UN Charter. It urged the international community to implement the General Assembly’s decisions and the ICJ’s advisory opinions on ending the Israeli occupation.
Hamas also praised the resolution, calling it a testament to international support for the Palestinian cause and a rejection of Israeli policies. The group called for practical steps to halt Israeli aggression in Gaza, end the occupation, and establish a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
This resolution comes despite heightened tensions in the region, with ongoing conflict in Gaza and widespread calls for international action to address humanitarian and political concerns.
