U.N. votes on Israel"s withdrawal from Palestinian territories

On September 18, the U.N. General Assembly is set to vote on a resolution urging Israel to withdraw from Palestinian territories, following a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that deemed the occupation unlawful. The resolution, backed by the State of Palestine and 29 other nations, demands an end to Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory within 12 months, halting new settlement activities, and allowing displaced Palestinians to return home. It also calls for Israel to comply with international law and the ICJ's advisory opinion, which stated that the occupation violated legal standards and recommended the reversal of settlements and reparations for Palestinians. During the assembly's discussions, General Assembly President Philemon Yang emphasized the humanitarian crisis and the need for justice to achieve peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, Riyad Mansour, highlighted the existential threats faced by Palestinians, arguing that unchecked Israeli force would lead to further violence and suffering. In contrast, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon criticized the resolution, suggesting it ignored the context of recent attacks on Israel and accused supporters of the resolution of enabling violence. He described the assembly's focus on the Palestinian issue as a distortion of reality. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield urged members to reject the resolution, advocating for direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians instead. She expressed concern that unilateral measures could undermine the prospects for a two-state solution, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to the ongoing conflict.