The Palestinian Embassy in Cyprus welcomed on Saturday the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the content of the International Court of Justice’s legal opinion regarding Israel’s obligations as an occupying power towards the UN, international organisations, and states in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
In a statement, the Embassy noted that the decision was approved by a wide international majority, with 139 countries voting in favour, 12 against, and 19 abstaining. “This reflects a clear and strong international consensus in support of international law and the multilateral system,” the statement said.
Cyprus was among the countries that voted in favour.
'Violating fundamental rights of Palestinian people'
“The decision reaffirms the authority of international law and the central role of the multilateral system, in the face of illegal policies and practices that undermine international peace and security and violate the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people,” the Embassy added.
The statement also highlighted that this broad international support constitutes a clear response to Israel’s actions against the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and other UN bodies operating in the occupied Palestinian territories. Special attention was drawn to the recent act of raising the occupying power’s flag over the UN flag, in violation of international law, the UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities, and the ICJ legal opinion.
“This decision marks a significant milestone in strengthening the role of the United Nations in protecting the Palestinian people and ensuring compliance by the occupying power, particularly regarding the opening of humanitarian corridors, meeting the basic needs of civilians, lifting measures that impede the work of UN agencies and international organisations - especially in the Gaza Strip - and ending the blockade,” the Embassy said, expressing gratitude to the countries that supported the resolution.
Implementing the decision
The Embassy stressed that the real value of the decision lies in its immediate and full implementation, as well as in the international community taking up its legal and moral responsibilities.
“We call on all UN member states, as well as regional and international organisations, to actively support efforts to implement the decision, take the necessary political and legal measures to ensure accountability and prevent impunity, strengthen the role of UNRWA and the UN in protecting the Palestinian people, and contribute to ending the Israeli occupation and achieving a just and lasting peace based on international law and recognised UN resolutions,” the statement concluded.