In a significant move at the United Nations General Assembly, a nonbinding resolution calling for the end of Israel's "unlawful presence" in Gaza and the occupied West Bank within a year has garnered strong support. The resolution, which comes as Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza nears its one-year mark and violence escalates in the West Bank, was backed by 124 member states, with 14 opposing and 43 abstaining. Notably, the United States, a close ally of Israel, stood among the opposition.

The adoption of the resolution signals a turning point in the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice, according to Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN. Mansour emphasized that the vote delivers a clear message that Israel's occupation must come to an end promptly, enabling the realization of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.

However, Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, harshly criticized the resolution, referring to it as a "shameful decision" that supports the Palestinian Authority's "diplomatic terrorism." Danon argued that instead of condemning Hamas and advocating for the release of hostages, the General Assembly aligns with the Palestinian Authority, which he claimed supports Hamas and its acts of violence.

The United States mission to the UN labeled the resolution as "one-sided," pointing out its failure to acknowledge Hamas as a terrorist organization still exerting power in Gaza. The US also emphasized Israel's right to defend itself against acts of terrorism. The US further asserted that the resolution might complicate efforts to end the conflict in Gaza and hinder progress toward a two-state solution, disregarding Israel's legitimate security concerns.

Although the resolution is nonbinding, the considerable support it obtained reflects global sentiment. Notably, unlike the 15-member Security Council, the General Assembly does not have the power of veto. The resolution not only demands the withdrawal of all Israeli forces and the evacuation of settlers from the occupied Palestinian territories without delay but also calls on countries to impose sanctions on those responsible for Israel's presence in these areas and to halt arms exports suspected of supporting Israeli actions.

Additionally, the resolution calls for reparations from Israel for the damages caused by its occupation and encourages countries to prevent trade or investments that sustain Israel's presence in the occupied territories. This resolution is a response to the July ruling of the International Court of Justice, which deemed Israel's presence in the Palestinian territories unlawful and called for its termination.

During the General Assembly's consideration of the resolution, Mansour emphasized that any country believing that the Palestinian people can accept a life of servitude or peace without a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not being realistic. The solution, he affirmed, lies in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting peacefully and securely alongside Israel.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International also called on Israel to heed the resolution's call to end its occupation. The resolution mandates UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to submit a report to the General Assembly within three months, outlining the implementation of the resolution by Israel, other states, international organizations, and the United Nations.

Despite expectations that Israel may ignore the resolution, Mansour indicated that the Palestinians intend to follow up with a stronger one. As international pressure mounts, the question of how this resolution will influence the trajectory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains uncertain.