The U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday
overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution
demanding that Israel
end its “unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within 12 months.
The nonbinding
resolution also said that
Israel should withdraw its military forces; halt the expansion of settlements and evacuate all settlers from occupied land; and demolish parts of a separation wall constructed inside the occupied West Bank.
A majority of members — 124 countries —
voted in favor. Fourteen countries, including Israel and the United States, voted against the resolution and 43 countries abstained.
It also asks member states to cease arms transfers to Israel when there are reasonable grounds to believe that they might be used in the occupied territory and to impose sanctions on settlers involved in violence against Palestinians. It also calls for accountability for Israel’s violations of international humanitarian law, including paying reparations.