Palestinians’ UN Proposal Calls for Israel to Withdraw from Gaza, West Bank in 6 Months

UNITED NATIONS — The Palestinians have proposed a draft resolution at the United Nations calling for an end to Israel’s “unlawful presence” in Gaza and the West Bank within a six-month timeframe.

This proposed resolution, acquired by The Associated Press, follows a ruling from the International Court of Justice in July that deemed Israel’s presence in these territories unlawful and mandated its cessation.

The court’s ruling condemned Israel’s governance over the lands it has occupied for 57 years, asserting that Israel does not have any right to claim sovereignty over them. It emphasized that Israel is violating international laws prohibiting the acquisition of land through force and ordered an end to Israeli settlement construction.

In response, Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon criticized the resolution, referring to it as a “reward for terrorism” and urged its rejection.

“Let it be clear: Nothing will stop Israel or deter it from its mission to bring home the hostages and eliminate Hamas,” Danon stated firmly.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres indicated that rulings from the International Court of Justice “should be accepted and implemented.” He emphasized that the decision regarding the General Assembly resolution rests with the 193 member nations.

This draft resolution coincides with the ongoing military offensive by Israel in Gaza, which has persisted for almost a year following the attacks by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7. Violence in the West Bank has also escalated sharply during this period.

If the General Assembly were to adopt the resolution, it would not hold legal binding power. However, the level of support it receives would be indicative of global sentiment on the matter. Unlike the 15-member Security Council, the General Assembly does not operate on a veto system.

A diplomat familiar with the discussions, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shared that the Palestinians aim to secure a vote on this resolution before the annual high-level meetings of the General Assembly commence on September 22.

The proposed resolution demands Israel’s compliance with international law, specifically calling for an immediate withdrawal of all military forces from Palestinian territories.

Additionally, it seeks an end to all new settlement initiatives and requires the evacuation of existing settlers, along with the dismantling of the separation barrier Israel has erected in the West Bank.

The resolution also asserts that Palestinians displaced during Israel’s occupation should be allowed to return to their original homes and demands reparations from Israel for damages incurred in these territories.

Israel views the West Bank as a disputed area, contending that its future should be established through negotiations. The country has actively moved settlers into the region to fortify its claim to the land and has unilaterally annexed East Jerusalem, an action not recognized internationally. While Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, it has upheld a blockade of the area since Hamas assumed control in 2007.

Since the October 7 Hamas attacks, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that over 40,900 Palestinians have died as a result of the ongoing conflict. Notably, the ministry does not separate fighters from civilians in its casualty figures. The war has caused widespread devastation and has displaced approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, often multiple times.

Meanwhile, violent confrontations led by settlers in the West Bank have surged, and Israeli military operations in various West Bank cities have resulted in severe casualties, with 692 Palestinians reported dead, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Attacks by Palestinian militants targeting Israelis within the region have also increased.

Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip during the 1967 Middle East war. The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state encompassing all three territories, which the international community widely acknowledges as occupied lands.

Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour noted his plan to introduce a General Assembly resolution in September aimed at formalizing the ICJ ruling. “We are sick and tired of waiting. The time for waiting is over,” he expressed emphatically.

The proposed resolution also encompasses additional requirements, calling for Israel to be held accountable for violations of international law, the imposition of sanctions against those sustaining Israel’s presence in the territories, and halting arms transfers to Israel if there are suspicions of their use in the occupied areas.

Source: AP