The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly adopted a resolution demanding Israel’s withdrawal from all Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and reaffirming the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
The resolution, introduced during the Assembly’s 80th session under agenda item 35, passed with 151 votes in favor, 11 against, and 11 abstentions.
Co‑sponsored by Palestine, Jordan, Djibouti, Senegal, Qatar, and Mauritania, the resolution underscores the UN’s permanent responsibility toward the Palestinian question until it is resolved in all its dimensions.
It stresses that a just, comprehensive, and lasting settlement is essential for peace and stability in the Middle East, reaffirming that the principle of self‑determination is enshrined in the UN Charter.
The text reiterates the illegality of acquiring territory by force and calls for respect for the territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian lands, including East Jerusalem.
It declares that Israel, as the occupying power, must not obstruct Palestinians from exercising their right to self‑determination, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign state.
The Assembly condemned Israel’s colonialist expansion, demographic manipulation in Jerusalem, and construction of the Annexation Wall, declaring them unlawful under international law.
It demanded an immediate halt to settlement activity and the evacuation of the Israeli colonizers from Palestinian land.
The resolution also denounced the use of force against Palestinian civilians, particularly children, and emphasized the urgent need to protect civilian lives across the region.
The resolution rejected any attempt to alter Gaza’s territorial status, affirming that the enclave is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory and must be unified with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.
It warned that annexation or demographic manipulation undermines prospects for a two‑state solution and violates international law.
The Assembly urged all states not to recognize any changes to the pre‑1967 borders unless agreed upon by both parties through negotiations.
It called on governments to refrain from assisting Israel in colonialist activity, referencing past Security Council resolutions such as Resolution 465 (1980) and Resolution 2334 (2016), which reaffirmed the illegality of settlements and demanded accountability measures.
The resolution welcomed ongoing Palestinian efforts, supported internationally, to build and strengthen state institutions despite the obstacles posed by the occupation. It encouraged reconciliation among Palestinian factions and reiterated the urgency of ending Israel’s occupation without delay.
While General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant political weight.
This latest vote reflects the overwhelming global consensus that Israel’s prolonged occupation and colonialist expansion are unlawful and that Palestinians must be allowed to exercise their right to self‑determination.
The resolution’s reference to the July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which found Israel’s occupation illegal, adds further legal authority to the Assembly’s position.
The bloc opposing the resolution included Israel, the United States, and several Pacific island states, while abstentions came largely from European and Latin American countries balancing political considerations. The outcome highlights the widening gap between global consensus and the policies of Israel and its closest allies.
By reaffirming the two‑state solution based on pre‑1967 borders and calling for renewed negotiations, the UN General Assembly has once again placed the Palestinian question at the center of international diplomacy, underscoring that peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without ending the occupation.
References
- UN General Assembly Resolution A/80/L.16 – Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine
- UN General Assembly Resolution 194 (1948)
- UN Security Council Resolution 465 (1980)
- UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016)
- International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion, 19 July 2024
- UN General Assembly Resolution on the Occupied Syrian Golan, 2025
