The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday approved a resolution calling on the United Nations Supreme Court to clarify Israel’s obligations in Gaza and the West Bank to provide humanitarian aid necessary for the survival of Palestinian citizens. did
The vote on a Norwegian-sponsored resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice was 137-12, with 22 abstentions. Israel’s closest ally, the United States, voted against the resolution.
Resolutions of the 193-member General Assembly are not legally binding, although they reflect world opinion.
The ICJ condemned Israel’s rule over the land it occupied 57 years ago. In a non-binding opinion in July, the court said Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is illegal and called on Israel to end its occupation and halt settlement construction immediately.
Thursday’s resolution also follows Israeli laws passed in late October, which take effect in 90 days, that effectively ban the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, from operating in the Palestinian territories.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has insisted that no other UN agency can take over UNRWA’s role, and a UN spokesman reiterated on Thursday that as the occupying power under international law, Israel is responsible for meeting the Palestinians’ basic needs. is restricted.
Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Kravik told reporters that the international community has a responsibility to respond to the thousands of deaths in Gaza and the people who are experiencing acute starvation and near-starvation with almost the entire population.
He said many countries, the United Nations and its agencies, and aid organizations were ready to step up their humanitarian efforts but the problem was “a lack of access.”
Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon told the assembly before the vote that its members were debating “the same recycled nonsense, where everything is attacking Israel and challenging its right to protect its citizens”.
“This time the Palestinians are using a new tool in this diplomatic circus: the International Court of Justice,” he said.
The resolution calls for Israel to comply with all legal obligations under international law, including the United Nations Supreme Court.
It expresses concern about Israeli legislation on UNRWA and Israeli measures to impede assistance to the Palestinians.
The motion seeks guidance on additional questions about the ICJ’s July ruling, which includes Israel’s obligations to “ensure and facilitate the uninterrupted provision of supplies urgently needed for the survival of the Palestinian civilian population.”
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