The UN General Assembly voted in favor of a resolution calling to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories current President of the UN General Assembly Maria Espinosa said in a statement.
The Comprehensive Just and Lasting Peace in the Middle East resolution sponsored by Ireland urges to end the occupation of Palestinian territories by the state of Israel and reaffirms its support for the two-state solution.
The United States and Israel voted against the resolution in addition to Australia Liberia Marshall Islands and Nauru.
Since 1967 Israel has been occupying Palestinian territories and refusing to recognize Palestine as an independent political and diplomatic state.
Through a recorded vote of 156 in favor to 6 against (Australia Israel Liberia Marshall Islands Nauru United States) with 12 abstentions the Assembly adopted a draft resolution titled “Comprehensive just and lasting peace in the Middle East” (document A/73/L.49).
“Such a peace unfortunately is not currently in sight” said Ireland’s representative while introducing the text. Stressing the importance of reversing the current negative developments on the ground she added that a settlement of the conflict must meet Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty as well as resolve all final status issues.
The General Assembly decided to reiterate its call for the achievement of just and lasting peace in the Middle East while also failing to adopt a text condemning Hamas resistance group in Gaza.
Speaking on behalf of the Arab Group the representative of Kuwait called on all States to reject the US-drafted text condemning the Palestinian resistance as it “distracts from the deep seated causes of the conflict”.
