On Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly approved a Palestinian resolution urging sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel. The proposal also included a demand from the Palestinian Authority for Israel to withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza within a year. The resolution passed with 124 countries in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions. It's important to note that General Assembly resolutions are non-binding and will not directly lead to actions or sanctions against Israel.
Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, condemned the vote, saying, "This is a shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority's diplomatic terrorism. Instead of marking the anniversary of the October 7 massacre by condemning Hamas and calling for the release of all 101 of the remaining hostages, the General Assembly continues to dance to the music of the Palestinian Authority, which backs the Hamas murderers."
The General Assembly just approved the Palestinian resolution calling for sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel.
This is a shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority's diplomatic terrorism.
Instead of marking the anniversary of the October 7 massacre by… pic.twitter.com/ca0M9Bun3N
— Danny Danon ?? דני דנון (@dannydanon) September 18, 2024
Countries joining Israel in opposition to the proposal included Argentina, Czech Republic, Fiji, Hungary, Malawi, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, Tuvalu, and the US.
Among those abstaining were Germany, Britain, Italy, Australia, Canada, Ethiopia, Albania, and Bulgaria. Notably, Britain abstained despite its new Labor government, and Australia abstained despite its government's critical stance towards Israel. Other abstaining countries included Ukraine, Serbia, Slovakia, South Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Nepal, the Netherlands, Korea, Romania, Lithuania, Georgia, Guatemala, Haiti, and Kenya.
As reported by Israel Hayom, the Palestinian delegation to the UN submitted a draft resolution earlier this month for voting in the General Assembly. The resolution calls for implementing the International Court of Justice's decision and includes a six-month timeline for withdrawal from "Palestinian territories," a call for an arms embargo on "settlements," and sanctions against Israeli officials.
