Arab countries voted unanimously in favor of the resolution

The United Nations calls on the “International Justice” to consider the “issue of the Israeli occupation”

Israeli security forces protect a group of settlers in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque.

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The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on the International Court of Justice to consider “the issue of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, including East Jerusalem,” the day after Benjamin Netanyahu assumed the presidency of the most right-wing government in Israel’s history. The resolution won 87 votes in favor, 26 against, and 53 abstentions. The vote, amid the division of Western countries over the issue, while the Arab countries voted unanimously in favor of it.

The text calls on the International Court of Justice, which is based in The Hague, to “determine the legal consequences of Israel’s continued violation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination,” in addition to “its measures to change the demographic composition, character and status of the city of Jerusalem.”

The resolution also calls on Israel to put an end to settlement activity.

But the General Assembly does not have binding power, unlike the UN Security Council, where the United States, Israel's ally, has veto power, and the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany opposed the resolution, while France abstained from voting.

The Palestinian delegate to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, said, "The vote sent a message to Netanyahu's new government regarding its intention to promote settlement and racist policies."

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the international step, and stressed the importance of the decision, which includes “the Palestinian request from the International Court of Justice for a legal advisory opinion and an advisory opinion on the nature and form of this long-term illegal colonial occupation, and the need to define the responsibilities and duties of the international community as a whole, third parties, and the international organization in End this occupation and its crimes.

She pointed out that "recourse to the most important institution of international justice is consistent with the Palestinian narrative based on international law and the basic rights of the Palestinian people, in the face of the false narrative of the occupation."

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “gratitude to the brotherly and friendly countries that adopted and sponsored the resolution, and those that stood firm on their positions and voted in its favor.” It saluted everyone who contributed to this historic achievement, calling on the countries that did not support the resolution to review their positions and abide by their international legal responsibilities under rules of international law.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called on countries that did not support the resolution to "not stand on the wrong side of international history."

The Palestinian Presidency welcomed the decision, and presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said, "This vote is evidence that the whole world stands by the Palestinian people and their inalienable historical rights," noting that "President Mahmoud Abbas thanks all the countries that have stood by the Palestinian right, and all The parties that worked to make this decision a success.

He added, "The time has come for Israel to be a state under the law, and to be held accountable for its ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people. The world must assume its responsibilities, implement international legitimacy resolutions, and everyone must stop double standards."

The spokesman stressed that "the Palestinian leadership will not leave a door without opening it to protect the Palestinian people," adding: "We are now on a date with the International Court of Justice, to request a legal advisory opinion on the Israeli colonial system," and stressed that resorting to international institutions is a Palestinian right.

In turn, the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation welcomed the decision, and praised the positions of the countries that contributed to its support and sponsorship, affirming their commitment to international law, and in line with their historical positions based on the principles of truth, justice and peace.

• The Arab League welcomes the decision and affirms that it upholds the principles of law and the resolutions of international legitimacy.

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