In a significant move, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a non-binding resolution on Wednesday, calling for Israel to end “its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within 12 months. This marks the first time that Palestine drafted a resolution, thanks to the rights and privileges the UN granted to the observer state earlier this year. The resolution demands that Israel withdraw its military forces, cease all settlement activity, dismantle the separation wall in the West Bank, and allow Palestinians displaced during the occupation to return to their homes. The vote, which passed with 124 countries in favour, 14 against, and 43 abstentions, reflects growing international condemnation of Israel’s policies in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. However, many Western nations that normally back Israel voted against it.

Unsurprisingly, reactions to the vote were sharply divided. On the one hand, Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour called the decision “a turning point in our struggle for freedom and justice”, emphasising that the international community’s overwhelming support for the resolution underscores the legitimacy of Palestinian claims and the need for Israel to comply with international law. On the other, Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan denounced the resolution as “diplomatic terrorism”, accusing the UN of promoting bias and encouraging violence. Additionally, since the US, Israel’s staunchest ally, voted against the resolution, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield argued that the text “selectively interprets” the situation and does little to advance peace. She added that the resolution did not address Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from militant groups, a point also raised by several Western countries that abstained.

This UNGA vote can be seen as a symbolic victory for Palestinian diplomacy, but the path to meaningful change remains uncertain. Although it reaffirms the global consensus on Palestinian self-determination and underscores the growing role that Palestine is building at the UN, the resolution’s non-binding status, coupled with Israel’s rejection of its demands, raises questions about its practical impact. While this resolution carries significant political weight, the demand for Israel to vacate the occupied territories within 12 months is unlikely to be enforced, especially given Israel’s longstanding defiance of UN rulings.

This vote comes soon after a critical advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July 2024. Despite not being legally binding, a 15-judge panel ruled Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as unlawful, highlighting how the country was “under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence… as rapidly as possible”. Coming after almost a year of war that killed at least 41,110 people in Gaza, the ICJ ruling addressed a divisive matter. Not only did ICJ judges call for reparations, arguing that Israel must compensate Palestinians for damages caused by the decades-long occupation, but they asserted that all nations should refrain from aiding or abetting Israel’s occupation, putting further pressure on the international community to act.

The implications of this vote are far-reaching. While it may not lead to immediate changes on the ground, the resolution sends a clear signal to Israel and its allies that the global community is opposed to the status quo. This vote also stresses the need for a renewed focus on the two-state solution, which remains the best option for a lasting peace, despite numerous challenges. Without concrete action to address settler expansion and Israel’s security concerns, the resolution risks becoming another symbolic gesture in a decades-long conflict. However, the UNGA resolution could become a catalyst for diplomatic efforts and might even encourage both sides to return to the negotiating table.