UN members demand end to 'unlawful' Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories

U.N. member states voted Wednesday to formally demand an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories within 12 months and the imposition of sanctions for non-compliance.

The non-binding resolution, which Israel claimed would fuel violence, calling it "distorted" and "cynical," is based on an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) saying the occupation since 1967 was "unlawful."

There were 124 votes in favor, 14 against and a notable 43 abstentions, with the Palestinian delegation heralding the adoption as "historic."

Arab countries called the special session just days before dozens of world leaders meet at U.N. headquarters to address the kick-off of this year's General Assembly.

The resolution — the first introduced by the Palestinian delegation itself under new rights gained this year — demands Israel "brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory."

It calls for a withdrawal "no later than 12 months" from the resolution's adoption. A previous draft gave six months.

"The idea is you want to use the pressure of the international community in the General Assembly and the pressure of the historic ruling by the ICJ to force Israel to change its behavior," said Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour on Monday.

Israel firmly rejected the resolution.

"This is what cynical international politics looks like," foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said on X.

He said it was "a distorted decision that is disconnected from reality, encourages terrorism and harms the chances for peace."

Hamas said it "welcomes the adoption", saying it reflected "the international community's solidarity with the Palestinian people's...