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Posted: 2024-09-18T23:54:44Z | Updated: 2024-09-18T23:54:44Z

The United Nations overwhelmingly passed a resolution on Wednesday demanding that Israel urgently end its illegal occupation of Palestinian land, a vote that comes just weeks before Israels military offensive that has caused a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches one year.

Out of the U.N. General Assemblys 193 member states, 124 of them voted in favor of the resolution presented by the Palestinian mission to the world body. Fourteen states voted against the resolution including Israels closest ally and primary weapons supplier, the United States while 43 states abstained. There are no vetoes in the General Assembly, unlike the 15-member Security Council.

Please stand on the right side of history, with international law, with freedom, with peace, Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour, who introduced the resolution, told the body on Tuesday . The alternative is what you witness every day on your TV screens. And what the Palestinian people are enduring in their flesh. A different reality is possible. It starts now, and here. Free Palestine.

The nonbinding resolution demands that Israel brings an end without delay its unlawful presence of occupied Palestinian territories like Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The Israeli government must end its illegal occupation by withdrawing all of its forces and evacuating its settlers from Palestinian land within the next 12 months, according to the draft.

In addition, the resolution calls for Israel to pay reparations to Palestinians for damage accrued by its occupation, and urges member states to impose sanctions on those responsible for maintaining Israels presence in the territories, and halt weapons transfers to Israel.