NEW YORK, (PIC)
The Palestinian permanent mission to the UN submitted its first draft resolution on Tuesday to the UN General Assembly demanding Israel end its presence in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza, within 12 months.
The move came after the General Assembly granted the Palestinian mission additional rights and privileges to participate at the UN.
An emergency session was held yesterday at the 79th UN General Assembly on the legal consequences of Israel’s activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.
UN General Assembly president Philemon Yang reiterated the International Court of Justice’s “advisory opinion” on Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, including east Jerusalem.
Yang emphasized that the UN, its General Assembly and Security Council have a responsibility to take steps to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.
“It is our collective duty as representatives of the international community to ensure that the principles of justice and the rule of law prevail,” he said.
He expressed hope for the session to “make a positive difference in the lives of the many who continue to suffer in this region and who look up to us to make the right decisions at this emergency special session.”
For his part, Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour urged the international community to hold Israel accountable, citing a recent request by the General Assembly for an authoritative opinion from the ICJ on the Israeli occupation.
He quoted the Court’s findings that Israel’s continued occupation and “assertion of permanent control over the occupied Palestinian territory” violates fundamental principles of international law.
“This was a historic opinion,” Mansour stated, adding that it is now the responsibility of the General Assembly and all member states to “take the necessary measures to ensure [Israel’s] compliance with international law.”
“Those who think the Palestinian people will accept a life of servitude, a life of apartheid, are the ones who are not being realistic,” he said. “Those who claim that peace is possible in our region without a just resolution for the question of Palestine are the ones who are not being realistic.”
Mansour stressed that “no occupying power can have a veto right over the inalienable rights of the people under its occupation,” as he urged nations to act immediately to curb Israel’s escalating violence and prevent further tragedy.
“Delayed justice is denied justice. The right time to do the right thing is always right now,” he said.
The draft resolution under consideration, co-sponsored by more than 40 countries, including Türkiye, is seen by Mansour as a potential turning point for the Palestinian people.
Mansour further urged all member states to “stand on the right side of history.”
This resolution demands Israel withdraw its forces from the occupied Palestinian lands, including Gaza, immediately halt all settlement construction and evacuate all settlers from the Palestinian territories.
It also calls for Israel to pay reparations to Palestinians for the damage caused by its occupation. It urges countries to take steps to prevent trade or investments that maintain Israel’s presence in the occupied territories and implement sanctions against it.
