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43rd Plenary Meeting of General Assembly 73rd Session
The General Assembly today concluded its annual debate on the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East by adopting six resolutions — including one calling for a final peace settlement to the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict — with some speakers warning against biased, one‑sided texts.
Through the terms of the text titled “Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine” (document A/73/L.32) — adopted by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States) with 12 abstentions — the Assembly calls for intensified efforts by the parties, including through negotiations, to conclude a final peace settlement. It also calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to comply strictly with its obligations under international law and stresses the need for an immediate and complete cessation of all acts of violence.
Adopting the resolution titled “Jerusalem” (document A/73/L.29) by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to 11 against with 14 abstentions, the Assembly reiterates that any actions by Israel to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem are illegal and therefore null and void. It also stresses the need for the parties to observe calm and restraint and to refrain from provocative actions and calls for respect for the historic status quo at Jerusalem’s holy places.
By the terms of a resolution titled “The Syrian Golan” (document A/73/L.30), adopted by a recorded vote of 99 in favour to 10 against with 66 abstentions, the Assembly declares that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan is null and void and demands that Israel withdraw from the territory.
The Assembly also adopted by recorded vote three resolutions dealing with the United Nations system’s own provision of support to the Palestinian people. The first — titled “Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People” (document A/73/L.31) — requests the Committee to exert all efforts to promote the right to self‑determination of Palestinians and to support the achievement of an end to Israeli occupation.
The second of those texts titled “Special information programme on the question of Palestine of the Department of Public Information of the Secretariat” (document A/73/L.33) would have the Assembly request the Department disseminate information on all the activities of the United Nations system relating to the question of Palestine and peace efforts. Through the third such resolution, titled “Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat” (document A/73/L.34), the Assembly requests the Division to continue to monitor developments relevant to the question of Palestine.
Taking the floor after adoption of the texts, the Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine expressed gratitude to all countries that voted in favour of the resolutions, adding that such support is a sign of global consensus on how to solve the Palestinian question. “This will give us strength to seek a peaceful and lasting solution,” he stressed.
The representative of Israel voiced her opposition to the six resolutions prior to their adoption. “We live in a time of many crises and it is a shame that the United Nations passes biased resolutions and devotes resources to bodies that denounce and attack Israel,” she said. Warning that discussion on the matter have devolved into “Israel bashing”, she said several United Nations entities provide platforms for people promoting agendas that directly target one Member State.
The representative of the United States agreed that an unfair number of resolutions were targeted at Israel. “They are biased and drive parties apart,” he said of the drafts prior to their adoption, adding that “the cause of peace will be served when the bias against Israel ends.” As a result, the United States will introduce a stand-alone text to condemn Hamas.
However, Egypt’s representative, who introduced “L.29” and “L.30”, called on Member States to vote in favour of the drafts in a display of support for the rights of those living under occupation. “Some States attempt to exploit conflict in the region to whitewash Israeli violations of human rights,” he said, stressing that all people in the Middle East should be able to enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms. (For details on the remaining draft resolutions, introduced on 29 November, see Press Release GA/12095.)
During the debate, Syria’s representative said that the Assembly’s resolutions are fully in line with the position expressed repeatedly by the Security Council, which rejects the unilateral decision by Israel to annex Palestinian Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan. “Israel continues to occupy a precious part of our land, and our people there continue to suffer because of this occupation,” he said. Syria’s rights to the Golan are non‑negotiable. “We are the legitimate owners,” he said, stressing that Syria would not forfeit its right to its land.
As was the case during the debate’s first day, speakers stressed that the situation in Palestine continued to deteriorate as it entered its fifth decade under Israeli occupation. “Palestinians have experienced nothing but oppression, displacement, misery and occupation,” said the representative of Iran, adding that recent Israeli repression in Gaza resulted in 170 deaths and thousands of injuries.
Qatar’s representative was among speakers calling for increased humanitarian assistance for the Palestinians. She called for a redoubling of efforts to deliver aid and underscored the essential humanitarian work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). “Qatar has increased its financial support to the relief organization,” she added.
Also speaking today were the representatives of Malaysia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco, Ecuador, Maldives, Japan, Russian Federation, Austria (on behalf of the European Union), Singapore and Brazil.
Also delivering a statement was the Permanent Observer for the Sovereign Order of Malta.
The Assembly will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Monday, 3 December, to take up its agenda item on sport for development and peace. It will also consider the investigation into the death of Dag Hammarskjöld and the outcomes of United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields.
The General Assembly began by concluding its discussion of the Question of Palestine, and the draft resolutions titled “Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People” (document A/73/L.31); “Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine” (document A/73/L.32); “Special information programme on the question of Palestine of the Department of Public Information of the Secretariat” (document A/73/L.33); and “Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat” (document A/73/L.34). (For background, see Press Release GA/12095 of 29 November 2018).
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