United Nations, New York – The United Nations General Assembly adopted two resolutions on Tuesday calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of both Palestine and the Syrian Golan Heights.
The resolution concerning Palestine was presented by Djibouti, Jordan, Mauritania, Qatar, Senegal, and Palestine. It garnered significant support, with 151 nations voting in favor. However, 11 countries, including Israel and the United States, opposed the resolution, while another 11 abstained.
The adopted resolution reaffirms the United Nations’ responsibility towards the Palestinian issue. It specifically demands an end to the Israeli occupation of territories occupied since 1967 and supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Separately, the General Assembly also approved a resolution, put forth by Egypt, demanding Israel’s withdrawal from the Syrian Golan Heights. The resolution deems the occupation and annexation of the area an “illegal act.”
This resolution saw 123 countries voting in favor, with 7 against, including Israel and the United States. A total of 41 nations chose to abstain from the vote.
The resolution explicitly states that Israel’s occupation and de facto annexation of the Golan Heights are illegal and contradict Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981.
Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement commenting on the resolution, asserting that it “demands Israel’s withdrawal from the entirety of the occupied Syrian Golan.” The ministry further emphasized that the increasing number of countries voting in favor of the resolution demonstrates the level of support for Syria and its commitment to the occupied Golan.
The resolutions are non-binding but carry significant political weight and reflect international sentiment on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the status of the Golan Heights.
