New york: The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on Monday affirming the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, with a significant majority of countries voting in favor.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the resolution received support from 164 countries, while only eight countries opposed it, including Israel, the United States, Micronesia, Argentina, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, Palau, and Nauru. Meanwhile, nine countries abstained from the vote, among them Ecuador, Togo, Tonga, Panama, Fiji, Cameroon, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, and South Sudan.
The presence of far-right and hardline governments in Argentina, Paraguay, and Ecuador was noted as a factor in their decision not to support the resolution, as well as other resolutions related to human rights issues.
The resolution's adoption signifies a global stance against Israel's occupation and settlement practices, which hinder the Palestinian people from exercising their right to self-determination and establishing an independent state. The resolution also references the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion that deems Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories unlawful and calls for its end due to its impact on the Palestinian right to self-determination, as outlined in the UN Charter and international law.
Palestine's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, expressed gratitude for the resolution's passage and the widespread support it garnered. He emphasized the international community's consensus on recognizing the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.