The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution on September 18 calling for Israel to end its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory within a year. The resolution received 124 votes in favor, 12 against, and 43 abstentions. While seen as a win for Palestinian advocacy, the fact that 54 countries did not support the resolution highlights a global failure of moral courage and hypocrisy.
The resolution was based on a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that found Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land to be illegal, along with its settlements and actions in Gaza. Despite international law clearly stating that occupation is a criminal act, some countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have continued to support Israel and have been accused of complicity in war crimes.
The double standards in how countries react to occupations, with Western nations condemning Russian actions in Ukraine but turning a blind eye to Israel’s actions in Palestine, raise questions about the integrity of the global legal framework. The inconsistency in upholding international law not only deepens divisions between countries but also undermines justice and accountability worldwide.
To restore faith in international law, countries must prioritize human rights over strategic interests and hold each other accountable for violations. A unified front from the international community is needed to ensure that the principles of international law are applied consistently and without bias. Failure to address these issues could lead to a world governed by the “law of the jungle” and perpetuate cycles of violence and oppression.
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