(The Guardian, 19/9/2024)
It shows how toothless the UN is – their words would be powerful if they backed them with action – arrest Netanyahu and charge him with war crimes – Mark
In a symbolic step exposing Israel’s continued international isolation, the UN general assembly has voted overwhelmingly to direct Israel to leave the occupied Palestinian territories within a year.
The non-binding vote follows a historic advisory ruling in July by the international court of justice (ICJ) urging Israel to cease “its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory as soon as possible and stop all settlement activity there immediately”.
Wednesday’s resolution was passed by 124 votes to 14 with 43 abstentions, prompting applause across the general assembly chamber in New York. The UK and Australia abstained while the US voted against.
Condemnations of Israel by the general assembly are frequent, including two resolutions passed by comparable majorities since the conflict began on 7 October, but this is the first since 1982 to advocate sanctions against Israel.
It arguably has additional force since it claims to be seeking to enforce an ICJ ruling. The resolution states: “Israel’s security concerns cannot override the principle of the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force.”
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