151 countries vote in favour, 11 against, 11 abstain, reaffirming call for just, lasting peace
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, with an overwhelming 151 member states voting in favour, 11 against, and 11 abstaining, according to a tweet by the UN Media Liaison.
The resolution, which reaffirms the need for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, calls for renewed commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the decades-long conflict.
The recorded vote underscores broad international support for a peaceful and negotiated solution, even as geopolitical divisions persist within the General Assembly.
“We reiterate that the occupation of the occupied Palestinian Territory must end, and Palestinian people must be allowed to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and establish their independent State,” said Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, while speaking to the assembly ahead of the vote.
The resolution calls on Israel to withdraw from Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and emphasises the Palestinians’ inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state. It also stresses the need for a fair resolution of the Palestinian refugee issue in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 194 (III) of December 11, 1948.
Additionally, the resolution urges all states to:
(a) refrain from recognizing any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including those concerning Jerusalem, except through agreements reached by the parties via negotiations, ensuring that any dealings with Israel do not imply recognition of its sovereignty over territories occupied since 1967;
(b) distinguish between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967 in relevant interactions;
(c) avoid supporting or assisting illegal settlement activities, including any aid to Israel that could be used specifically for settlements in the occupied territories; and
(d) respect and ensure respect for international law at all times, including implementing measures of accountability consistent with international law.
The resolution also calls on all states, as well as the United Nations, to continue and accelerate economic, humanitarian, and technical support to the Palestinian people and government, particularly to address the urgent humanitarian needs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
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Earlier this year, the UNGA adopted a resolution, by an overwhelming majority, demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Israel’s war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council.
Piloted by Spain, the resolution, co-sponsored by Pakistan and 47 other states, garnered 149 votes in favour to 12 against, with 19 abstentions.
Among those opposing the resolution were the United States and Israel, who were joined, among others, by Argentina, Hungary and Paraguay. India, Georgia, Ecuador, Romania and Ethiopia were among the countries abstaining.
Under its terms, the resolution strongly condemns the use of starvation as a weapon of war, demands a full lifting of the Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid, and insists on the protection of civilians under international law.
Although General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant political and moral weight.
Famine conditions continue to threaten lives across Gaza, and reports persist of civilians being killed or injured while trying to access food at distribution points operated independently of the UN but supported by Israel and the US.
