Amnesty International on Wednesday urged Israel to implement a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution demanding the end to its occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The resolution, adopted earlier by a substantial majority, calls for Israel to withdraw its military forces, cease settlement activity, and dismantle illegal settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, in compliance with international law and the International Court of Justice’s July advisory opinion on the occupation.
The UNGA resolution, passed with 124 votes in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions, mandates that Israel “bring to an end without delay its unlawful presence.” It further requires Israel to halt settlement expansion, evacuate settlers, dismantle sections of the separation barrier constructed in the West Bank and return land and property seized since the occupation began in 1967. The resolution underscores the General Assembly’s condemnation of Israel’s “continued and total disregard” for its obligations under the UN Charter, international law, and various UN resolutions. It emphasizes that such breaches “seriously threaten” regional and international peace and security. The assembly demands that Israel be held accountable for violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws, including the obligation to make reparations for any damage caused by its actions.
Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, welcomed the resolution, stating, “Today’s resolution makes crystal-clear that Israel’s 57-year occupation of the Palestinian territories, in flagrant violation of international law, cannot be allowed to continue any longer.” Callamard emphasized the need for Israel to reverse its illegal annexation of East Jerusalem and return all land, property, and cultural assets seized since 1967. She condemned Israel’s ongoing human rights violations under the occupation, highlighting the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by recent military actions and a 17-year blockade. In the West Bank, Callamard noted escalating violence, unlawful killings, and increased settler attacks that continue to displace Palestinians. Amnesty stressed that the occupation has caused decades of suffering, bloodshed, and systemic discrimination against Palestinians.
Amnesty also called on the international community to ensure Israel’s compliance with the resolution. It urged an immediate halt to all forms of aid that sustain the occupation, including arms transfers and trade with illegal settlements. The organization stressed the need for mechanisms to record damages caused by Israel’s military occupation and ensure accountability for violations of the Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
