New York:The Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, known as the Economic and Financial Committee, has adopted a resolution affirming the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over their natural resources in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan. The resolution, submitted by the Group of 77 and China, was adopted with overwhelming support.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the resolution received 151 votes in favor, with backing from all European Union member states and Canada. Seven countries, including the United States of America and Israel, opposed the resolution, while 11 countries chose to abstain.
The resolution emphasizes several principles regarding Palestinian natural resources, notably the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention to the occupied territories. It also references the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice concerning Israel's policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and underscores the illegality of Israel's continued presence there. The resolution reaffirms the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to their resources and calls for Israel to cease their exploitation.
Additionally, the resolution supports the Palestinian right to restitution for Israel's exploitation of resources and highlights the detrimental impact of Israeli settlements and the separation Wall on the Palestinian environment. It reiterates the Security Council's Resolution 2334, urging states to differentiate between Israeli territory and territories occupied since 1967.
The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Minister Riyad Mansour, praised the international community's support for Palestinian rights, emphasizing the importance of the resolution and commending the countries that voted in favor.