The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been at the forefront of international discussions recently, particularly following the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA) adoption of Resolution ES-10/24. This resolution demands Israel to cease its occupation of Palestinian territories, withdraw its military forces, and evacuate settlers within twelve months. With the overwhelming backing of 124 member states, the resolution has significantly reignited global scrutiny of Israel's actions.
On September 20, 2024, DAWN, which stands for Democracy for the Arab World Now, underscored the urgency for measures against Israel, citing violations of international law. They called on individual countries to act unilaterally, particularly emphasizing the need to suspend arms sales to Israel. According to DAWN’s Executive Director, Sarah Leah Whitson, every member state must adhere to international law, especially the advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) deeming Israel’s occupation illegal. Whitson remarked, "Every member state, including the United States, has a duty to uphold international justice by enforcing the ICJ opinion finding Israel's occupation illegal, and to end its own complicity..."
Meanwhile, China has also added its voice to the chorus of condemnation. The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged for compliance with UN resolutions, demanding Israel to halt all military operations and illegal settlements. Spokesperson Lin Jian stated, "All parties, especially Israel, should cease military activities and comply with relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the General Assembly," reflecting the increasing international frustration with the situation.
With the core of the conflict surrounding land and legality, the UN resolution ties heavily to the ICJ’s recommendations from July, which classified the expansion of Israeli settlements and the overall occupation as violations of international law. The UNGA resolution insists on reparations for Palestinians harmed by these actions.
The gravity of this resolution has stirred various reactions, especially within Israel. Commentators within Israel have cautioned against downplaying the significance of the UNGA's stance. "The UN's decision creates animosity toward Israel, something to dread rather than ignore," remarked Tamar Uriel-Beeri from The Jerusalem Post. The article emphasized the resolution's implication, which calls for Israel's withdrawal to pre-1967 borders, urging member states not to sell arms to Israel for use within the occupied territories.
Critics of the Israeli government have increasingly characterized its military actions as violations of self-defense, indicating a shift from traditional justifications to concerns about maintaining control over occupied land at the expense of Palestinian lives. The latest conflict, ignited by Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, raising alarms over potential war crimes. The death toll from the Israeli responses has shocked the global community, leading to calls for accountability.
Further indicative of widespread discontent, the UN has faced accusations of bias. Israel and its allies have long contended the UN systematically exhibits anti-Israel sentiment. They argue the resolutions tend to overlook Israel’s security concerns and fail to address aggression from Hamas and other groups, who too have contributed significantly to the bloodshed. Yet, these sentiments have not deterred the UN's push for compliance with international law, which now weighs heavily against Israel.
The political consequences of these developments are considerable. Countries like the Philippines have voiced support for the UN resolutions, with officials voting favorably. This stance aligns with the growing trend among several Asian nations calling for peace and resolution of the Palestinian plight. Similarly, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and Vietnam are noted supporters of the recent measures aimed at ensuring Israeli compliance with international mandates.
Notably, this intensification of international scrutiny has the potential to shape Israel’s future policies. With the UNGA's recent endorsement, diplomats speculate whether this might lead to domestic shifts within Israel, where leadership will need to reconcile its military objectives with growing international law ramifications.
While Israel appears steadfast, the growing chorus of condemnatory voices reflected by the UN and various states signals the increasing global unwillingness to overlook the plight of Palestinians under occupation. This chapter of the Israeli-Palestinian narrative may usher significant changes, both diplomatically and socially, across the region.
