Politics
The Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which deals with economic and financial affairs, has adopted a resolution by an overwhelming majority of 151 countries,
The Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which deals with economic and financial affairs, has adopted a resolution by an overwhelming majority of 151 countries, reaffirming the Palestinian people’s permanent sovereignty over their natural resources. Seven countries voted against the resolution, while 11 abstained. The resolution, introduced by the Group of 77 and China, received the support of all European Union member states and Canada. The United States, occupying Israel, Colombia, Paraguay, Palau, Nauru and Micronesia voted against it. Reaffirming the Palestinian people’s inalienable and permanent rights over their natural resources, the resolution calls on occupying Israel to stop exploiting these resources. It also stresses that Palestinians have the full right to seek compensation for losses resulting from the depletion of their resources. The resolution further notes that the Fourth Geneva Convention, which concerns the protection of civilians during wartime, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights apply to the occupied Palestinian territory.
The resolution is based on the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on July 19, 2024, concerning the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and actions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including occupied East Jerusalem. In this context, the resolution affirms that the establishment of illegal Israeli settlements, the construction of the separation wall and other actions by occupying Israel are causing serious damage to the Palestinian environment. It also reiterates the call, under Security Council Resolution 3234, for all countries to distinguish in their dealings between the territories of occupying Israel and the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967. Meanwhile, Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Minister Riyad Mansour, said the overwhelming vote in favour of the resolution reaffirmed the international community’s support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to sovereignty over their natural resources. He praised the countries that supported the draft resolution.
