Extracts: United Nations General Assembly UNGA resolution, backed by 124 countries -- small potatoes! -- makes it clear that occupation ‘cannot be allowed to continue any longer’
Palestine’s ambassador to the UN
Palestine’s ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour called the vote a turning point “in our struggle for freedom and justice”
“It sends a clear message that Israel’s occupation must end as soon as possible and that the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination must be realised” Mansour said
Israel’s ambassador to the UN
Israel’s ambassador to the UN Danny Danon slammed the vote as “a shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic terrorism”
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“Instead of marking the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 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” Danon said
Palestinian Authority
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the resolution and urged countries across the world to take steps to pressure Israel to adhere to it
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“The international consensus over this resolution renews the hopes of our Palestinian people – who are facing a comprehensive aggression and genocide in Gaza and the West Bank including Jerusalem – to achieve its aspirations of freedom and independence and establish a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital” Abbas said
Hamas terrorists
Hamas The Palestinian armed group said it “welcomes the adoption” adding that it reflected “the international community’s solidarity with the Palestinian people’s struggle”
Israel
Oren Marmorstein, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on X that the resolution was “a distorted decision that is disconnected from reality, encourages terrorism and harms the chances for peace”
United States
The US mission to the UN called the resolution “one-sided”, pointing to its failure to recognise that Hamas “a terrorist organization” still exerts power in Gaza and that Israel has a right to defend itself
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“This resolution will not bring about tangible progress for Palestinians” the US said “In fact, it could both complicate efforts to end the conflict in Gaza and impede reinvigorating steps toward a two-state solution, while ignoring Israel’s very real security concerns”
European Union
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement:
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“The UN General Assembly has forcefully reaffirmed its commitment to the realisation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including its right to an independent and sovereign State ?living side by side in peace and security with Israel? -- Democratic Israel and murderousterrorists -- in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly”
