The Arab Group at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement asked the General Assembly of the international organization, yesterday, Monday, to vote on a Palestinian draft resolution demanding that Israel “end its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories within 6 months.”
The main objective of the draft resolution, prepared by the Palestinian Authority, is to affirm the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice last July, which stated that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands and territories is illegal and that it must withdraw from them.
While the advisory opinion from the UN’s highest court says the withdrawal should happen “as soon as possible,” the draft resolution sets a six-month timetable for implementation.
The vote will be taken by the 193-member UN General Assembly on August 18, just before world leaders arrive in New York for their annual meeting at the UN. andThe 8-page draft resolution could see changes before it goes to a vote.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon preempted the vote by calling on the General Assembly to “categorically reject this outrageous resolution” and instead adopt “a resolution condemning Hamas” and calling for the immediate release of all detainees.
The advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice is not binding, but it carries weight under international law and could weaken support for Israel. The same is true of the General Assembly resolution, which is not binding, but it carries political weight.
It is noteworthy that Israel occupied the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem in 1967 and since then has been building and expanding settlements in the West Bank.
After Israel launched its current devastating war on the Gaza Strip, the UN General Assembly called for an immediate humanitarian truce on October 27. Then last December, it overwhelmingly demanded a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons.