Borrell: UN General Assembly Resolution Reaffirms Palestinian People's Right to Self-determination

In a significant diplomatic development, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution demanding an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories within a year.

The resolution, introduced by the State of Palestine, garnered overwhelming support, with 124 countries voting in favor.

The resolution is based on the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion regarding Israel's policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), issued in July 2024. 

The European Union's High Representative Josep Borrell welcomed the vote, emphasizing the importance of the resolution in reaffirming the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and calling for a sustainable peace in the region.

"SEE" publishes full extract of Borrell's statement: 

In the context of a particularly dire situation in the Middle East, I acknowledge the great significance of today’s adoption by the UN General Assembly of a Resolution demanding inter alia an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory within one year, and on which a wide majority of States voted in favour.

This is the first UN General Assembly Resolution ever introduced by the State of Palestine*, the text of which had been built on the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including East Jerusalem, of 19 July 2024.

With 124 countries voting in favour, the UN General Assembly has forcefully reaffirmed its commitment to the realization 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, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly.

In line with its longstanding common position and UN Security Council Resolutions, I reiterate the call for a lasting and sustainable peace, and reaffirm that the EU will not recognise changes to the 1967 borders, nor Israeli sovereignty over the territories occupied since 1967, unless agreed by parties.

This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.