Palestinians to Present UN Resolution on Ending Israeli Occupation

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Palestinian leadership announced plans to introduce a resolution in the U.N. General Assembly this September, aimed at formalizing a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice that deemed Israel's presence in the occupied Palestinian territories unlawful. Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour emphasized the urgency of the resolution, which seeks to end the occupation and halt settlement construction, stating, “The time for waiting is over.” Although the resolution will not be legally binding, it is intended to galvanize international support for Palestinian statehood. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the court's ruling, asserting that the territories are part of the Jewish people's historic homeland. He reiterated that the Jewish people are not conquerors in their own land, particularly in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon did not address the Palestinian proposal during his remarks to the U.N. Security Council. Mansour did not specify the timeline for the proposed resolution but described it as a crucial step toward achieving a two-state solution, where Israel and an independent Palestine coexist peacefully. He also highlighted concerns regarding the potential for a Palestinian state to become a base for attacks against Israel. Additionally, Mansour revealed that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas intends to visit Gaza and has called for support from global leaders, including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, to facilitate this visit. The ongoing conflict, exacerbated by the recent Hamas invasion of Israel, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with calls for a resolution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.