The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution on Thursday asking the UN's highest court to state what Israel’s obligations are in Gaza and the West Bank to provide humanitarian assistance essential for the survival of Palestinian civilians.
The vote on the Norwegian-sponsored resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice was 137-12, with 22 abstentions. The United States, Israel's closest ally, voted against the resolution.
Resolutions in the 193-member General Assembly are not legally binding, though they do reflect world opinion.
It follows the ICJ’s condemnation of Israel’ s rule over lands it captured 57 years ago. In a nonbinding opinion in July, the court said Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful 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 UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, from operating in the Palestinian territories.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stressed that no other UN agency can take on UNRWA's role, and a UN spokesman reiterated Thursday that under international law, as the occupying power, Israel would be responsible for fulfilling the basic needs of Palestinians if UNRWA is banned.
Norway’s deputy foreign minister, Andreas Kravik, told reporters that the international community has a responsibility to react to tens of thousands of deaths in Gaza and virtually the entire population experiencing acute hunger, and some near famine.
He said many countries, the UN and its agencies, and aid organizations are ready to step up their humanitarian efforts but the problem is 'there’s 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 all that matters is attacking Israel and challenge 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 demands that Israel comply with all its legal obligations under international law, including by the U.N.'s top court.
It expresses concern about the Israeli legislation on UNRWA and Israeli measures to impede assistance to the Palestinians.
The resolution seeks the ICJ’s guidance on additional questions about its July ruling, including what Israel's obligations are 'to ensure and facilitate the unhindered provision of urgently needed supplies essential to the survival of the Palestinian civilian population'.
Hence then, the article about un general assembly asks court on israel s obligations in gaza was published today ( ) and is available on The New Arab ( Kuwait ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( UN General Assembly asks court on Israel's obligations in Gaza )
Also on site :
- 10 Shows Like 'Your Friends and Neighbors' You Should Watch Next
- Lisa Kudrow Gets Brutally Honest About ‘Friends’ Fame
- Iran strikes fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai port; spill risk flagged