Page 85 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

GEOPOLITICS the text titled “Advisory opinion of the International
Court of Justice on the legal consequences arising
from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and
from the illegality of Israel’s continued presence in
UN ADOPTS HISTORIC TEXT DEMANDING the Occupied Palestinian Territory” (document A/
THAT ISRAEL END ITS UNLAWFUL ES-10/L.31/Rev.1) welcomed that opinion, which was
PRESENCE IN OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN issued on 19 July.
TERRITORY WITHIN ONE YEAR Introduced on Tuesday, 17 September by the Perma-
Adopting a historic text demanding that Israel bring nent Observer of the State of Palestine in an emer-
to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Pal- gency special session of the Assembly, the text seeks
estinian Territory, no later than 12 months from the to implement the Court’s advisory opinion. It sets out
adoption of the resolution, the General Assembly numerous obligations on States and international
held on 18 September heard speakers stake out a organisations, including the obligation not to recog-
range of positions regarding the best way to resolve nise as legal the situation arising from the unlawful
this enduring crisis. presence of Israel in the Territory. By its other terms,
Adopted by a two-thirds majority in a recorded vote the Assembly decided to convene during its sev-
of 124 in favour to 14 against, with 43 abstentions, enty-ninth session an international conference for
the implementation of UN resolutions pertaining to
the question of Palestine and the two-state solution.
Prior to its adoption, the Assembly Secretary said
that in the absence of modalities, it is not possible to
estimate the potential cost implications of conven-
ing an international conference. Once modalities are
known, the budgetary implications will be assessed
and the Assembly advised accordingly, she said.
The adoption was hailed by several delegates, includ-
ing that of Syria, who said it is an expression of inter-
national solidarity with the Palestinian people and
a global rejection of Israeli occupation. Further, it
renews the United Nations’ unequivocal support for
the establishment of a Palestinian State, he said. The
representatives of Saint Vincent and Grenadines, the
Marshall Islands, and Thailand also reaffirmed the
Palestinian right to self-determination.
Voicing support for the International Court of Justice,
Belgium’s delegate underscored that the resolution is
in keeping with its advisory opinion. Israel’s multide-
cade illegal occupation undermines the human rights
of Palestinians and compromises any chances of a
peace process in the Middle East, he said. The adop-
tion does not mean a reduction of Israel’s security,
he pointed out, adding that terrorist groups, such
as Hamas, feed on oppression and hopelessness.
This text offers a realistic prospect of restoring hope
in a population that has been left at the mercy of
extremist ideology, he stated.
The representatives of Japan, Latvia, France, Estonia,
Cyprus, and Monaco also underscored the need to
uphold international law and the key role of the World
Court. While cognizant of Israel’s security needs,
Greece’s delegate said, his country nevertheless
voted in favour of the text because of its principled
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press stake out belief that the Court’s work should be respected.
following the intervention of the opening of the UNO marking 60 years of UN Singapore’s delegate said that his delegation also
Trade and Development (UNCTAD) at the European headquarters of the United voted in favour because of its respect for the Court,
Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, 12 June 2024.
Credit: EPA/MARTIAL TREZZINI even though it has serious reservations about the

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