GA Adopts 38 Resolutions, Including Texts on Israeli‑Palestinian Issues – Press Release (GA/11987) (Excerpts)

SEVENTY-SECOND SESSION, 66TH MEETING (AM)
GA/11987
7 DECEMBER 2017

français

Upon the recommendation of its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), the General Assembly adopted 38 resolutions and two decisions today, on issues including decolonization and the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.

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Turning to Israeli‑Palestinian issues, the General Assembly took up nine draft resolutions.  It adopted a draft resolution titled “Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories” by a recorded vote of 83 in favour to 10 against (Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 77 abstentions.

By that text, the Assembly requested that the Special Committee continue investigating Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to consult with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in order to ensure safeguards for the welfare and human rights of the peoples of the occupied territories.  It also requested that the Special Committee submit regular periodic reports to the Secretary‑General on the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and to continue to investigate the treatment and status of prisoners and detainees.

The Assembly also took up a draft titled “Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”, by which it expressed deep concern about the Agency’s critical financial situation and stressed the need for further efforts to comprehensively address its recurrent funding shortages.  The Assembly called upon donors to provide early annual voluntary contributions, in accordance with the Grand Bargain on humanitarian financing announced at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, in May 2016.  The Assembly also expressed concern about continuing restrictions on free movement and access for UNRWA personnel, vehicles and goods, as well as the injury, harassment and intimidation of its staff.  The Assembly adopted that draft resolution by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, United States), with 7 abstentions (Cameroon, Guatemala, Nauru, Paraguay, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Vanuatu).

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Background

Meeting to consider reports of its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today, the General Assembly took up the following agenda items: … United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (document A/72/447); report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/72/448);

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The General Assembly then took up four draft resolutions relating to Palestine refugees.  It first adopted the draft resolution “Assistance to Palestine refugees” (document A/72/447/L.17) by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 12 abstentions.  By that text, the Assembly expressed grave concern at the difficult situation of Palestine refugees under occupation, in particular those in the Gaza Strip, and underlined the importance of assistance and urgent reconstruction efforts there.  The Assembly upon all donors to continue strengthening their efforts to meet the anticipated needs of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), including for recent emergency, recovery and reconstruction appeals, plans for Gaza and for regional crisis responses to the situation of Palestine refugees in Syria.

Next, the Assembly adopted — by a recorded 158 votes in favour to 7 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau United States), with 10 abstentions (Cameroon, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Togo, Vanuatu) — the draft “Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities” (document A/72/447/L.18).  By its terms, the Assembly reaffirmed the right of all those displaced to return to their homes or former places of residence.  It further stressed the need for the accelerated return of the displaced, strongly appealing to all Governments, organizations and individuals to contribute generously to UNRWA and others in that regard.

The General Assembly then took up the draft resolution “Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” (document A/72/447/L.19), adopting it by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, United States), with 7 abstentions (Cameroon, Guatemala, Nauru, Paraguay, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Vanuatu).  Expressing deep concern about UNRWA’s critical financial situation, the Assembly stressed the need for further efforts to comprehensively address recurrent funding shortages.  It called upon donors to provide early annual voluntary contributions, in accordance with the Grand Bargain on humanitarian financing announced at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, in May 2016.  It also voiced concern about the continuing imposition of restrictions on free movement and access for UNRWA personnel, vehicles and goods, as well as the injury, harassment and intimidation of its staff.

Taking up the draft “Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues” (document A/72/447/L.20), the General Assembly adopted it by a recorded 159 votes in favour to 7 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 9 abstentions (Cameroon, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Togo, Vanuatu).  By that text, the Assembly requested that the Secretary‑General take all appropriate steps to protect Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel.  Further, it called on Israel to render all facilities and assistance to the Secretary‑General for the resolution’s implementation.  Moreover, the Assembly urged the Palestinian and Israeli sides, as agreed between them, to deal with the important issue of Palestine refugees’ properties and revenues within the framework of final‑status peace negotiations.

Next, the General Assembly took up five drafts relating to Israel’s illegal practices in occupied Palestinian and other Arab territories.  It adopted the draft resolution “Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories” (document A/72/448/L.21) by a recorded vote of 83 in favour to 10 against (Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 77 abstentions.

By that text, the General Assembly requested that the Special Committee continue investigating Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and that it consult with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in order to ensure safeguards for the welfare and human rights of the peoples of the occupied territories.  It also requested that the Special Committee submit regular periodic reports to the Secretary‑General on the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and to continue to investigate the treatment and status of prisoners and detainees.

The General Assembly then considered the draft “Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories” (document A/72/448/L.22).  By its terms, the Assembly demanded that Israel accept the de jure applicability of the Geneva Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, and that it comply scrupulously with the provisions of that Convention.  The Assembly adopted that text by a recorded 157 votes in favour to 7 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 10 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Togo, Vanuatu).

In another action, the General Assembly adopted — by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 12 abstentions — the draft resolution “Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan” (document A/72/448/L.23).  According to that text, the General Assembly condemned acts of violence, destruction, harassment, provocation and incitement by Israeli settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, called on Israel to accept the de jure applicability of the Geneva Convention.  It also demanded that Israel comply with its legal obligations, as mentioned in the advisory opinion rendered by the International Court of Justice on 9 July 2004.

Taking up the draft resolution “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem” (document A/72/448/L.24), the Assembly adopted it by a recorded vote of 153 in favour to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 10 abstentions (Cameroon, Guatemala, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Togo, Vanuatu).

By that text, the Assembly demanded that Israel cease all practices and actions violating the human rights of the Palestinian people, including the killing and injury of civilians, arbitrary detention and imprisonment, forced displacement, and any obstruction of humanitarian assistance, among other things.  The Assembly also demanded that Israel comply fully with the Fourth Geneva Convention and cease all settlement activity, construction of the wall, and any other measures aimed at altering the character, status and demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

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For information media. Not an official record.