As we head towards a year of the appalling killing and maiming of civilians in Gaza by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) The General Assembly of the United Nations passed a resolution on Wednesday demanding an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine within the next twelve months.
The resolution calls for Israel to comply with international law and withdraw its military forces, immediately cease all new settlement activity, evacuate all settlers from occupied land, and dismantle parts of the separation wall it constructed inside the occupied West Bank. It was overwhelmingly passed with 124 nations in favour, 14 against, and 43 abstentions.
The General Assembly further demanded that Israel return land and other “immovable property”, as well as all assets seized since the occupation began in 1967, and all cultural property and assets taken from Palestinians and Palestinian institutions.
The resolution also demands Israel allow all Palestinians displaced during the occupation to return to their place of origin and make reparation for the damage caused by its occupation.
The resolution stems from the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July, in which the Court declared that Israel’s continued presence in the Territory “is unlawful”, and that “all States are under an obligation not to recognize” the decades-long occupation.
Click on this link for the full resolution: Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory
The United Nations also called upon all states to to comply with their obligations under international law and take concrete steps to address Israel’s ongoing presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. That includes providing military aid and equipment to the Government of Israel which is being used to obliterate swathes of Gaza.
Member countries were also urged to implement sanctions, such as travel bans and asset freezes, against individuals and entities involved in maintaining Israel’s unlawful presence in the Territory. This includes addressing issues related to settler violence and ensuring that those engaged in these activities face legal and financial consequences.
Last week The Orkney News highlighted the attacks on those who provide aid in Gaza and The West Bank.
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency’s area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
The relief organisation is suffering not only coping with the loss of so many of its workforce but with a barrage of misinformation and disinformation to discredit its work and that of the United Nations.
Save The Children UK report that 710 Palestinian newborn babies have been killed by Israeli forces during the ongoing war in Gaza. You can donate to their appeal on the link above.
UNICEF reports that in Gaza 1.7 million people have been displaced (often multiple times) and 3.1 million people are in need. 1 million of them are children.
It has launched an appeal to help those children: Donate to help us reach more children and families in Gaza
Just £10 a month could provide a week’s worth of life-saving therapeutic food for a child.
For £27 a month, you can help 9 children receive a single dose of oral polio vaccine.
You can also choose to make a one-off donation if you wish. £39 could provide a family with an emergency water and hygiene kit.
Whatever you choose to donate, you will help to make a difference in the lives of children in Gaza.
This Saturday, 21st September, islanders in Orkney will again gather on the Kirk Green, Broad Street, Kirkwall, between 1 and 2pm calling for an immediate ceasefire, the unhindered delivery of aid, and the release of all hostages.
In this film we hear from one of the islanders about why, over 11 months on, she continues to attend the vigils.
All images by Mike Robertson.
The islanders in Orkney welcome all those to join them who wish to see an immediate ceasefire and an end to the genocide in Gaza.
Fiona Grahame
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