Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine – General Assembly draft Resolution (A/79/L.23) (Adopted as orally revised)

25 November 2024

Seventy-ninth session

Agenda item 35

Question of Palestine

Senegal:* draft resolution

Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine

         The General Assembly,

Recalling its relevant resolutions, including those adopted at its tenth emergency special session,

Recalling also its resolution 73/89 of 6 December 2018, entitled “Comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East”,

Recalling further relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980, 1397 (2002) of 12 March 2002, 1515 (2003) of 19 November 2003, 1544 (2004) of 19 May 2004, 1850 (2008) of 16 December 2008 and 2334 (2016) of 23 December 2016,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General submitted pursuant to the request made in its resolution 77/25 of 30 November 2022,

Recalling its resolution 58/292 of 6 May 2004,

Reaffirming the permanent responsibility of the United Nations with regard to the question of Palestine until it is resolved in all its aspects in accordance with international law and relevant resolutions,

Convinced that achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement of the question of Palestine, the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict, is imperative for the attainment of comprehensive and lasting peace and stability in the Middle East,

Stressing that the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples is among the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,

Reaffirming the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force,

Recalling its resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970, and reiterating the importance of maintaining and strengthening international peace founded upon freedom, equality, justice and respect for fundamental human rights and of developing friendly relations among nations irrespective of their political, economic and social systems or the level of their development,

Emphasizing the need for respect for, and the preservation of, the territorial integrity and unity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,

         Recalling in this regard the advisory opinion rendered on 19 July 2024 by the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and from the illegality of Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,^[1] and the Court’s conclusion that Israel, as the occupying Power, has the obligation not to impede the Palestinian people from exercising its right to self-determination, including its right to an independent and sovereign State, over the entirety of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, living side by side, in peace and security with Israel, within secure and recognized borders, and that it is for all States, while respecting the Charter of the United Nations and international law, to ensure that any impediment resulting from the illegal presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to the exercise of the Palestinian people of its right to self-determination is brought to an end,

Recalling also the advisory opinion rendered on 9 July 2004 by the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of the construction of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,^[2] and recalling also its resolutions ES-10/15 of 20 July 2004 and ES-10/17 of 15 December 2006,

Reaffirming the illegality of Israeli settlement activities and all other unilateral measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the City of Jerusalem and of the Occupied Palestinian Territory as a whole, including the wall and its associated regime, demanding their immediate cessation, and condemning any use of force against Palestinian civilians in violation of international law, notably children,

Condemning the firing of rockets against Israeli civilian areas,

Emphasizing the importance of the safety, protection and well-being of all civilians in the whole Middle East region, and condemning all acts of violence and terror against civilians on all sides,

Calling for full respect for international law, including for the protection of civilian life, as well as for the promotion of human security, the de-escalation of the situation, the exercise of restraint, including from provocative actions and rhetoric, and the establishment of a stable environment conducive to the pursuit of peace,

Stressing the need for measures to be taken to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip, consistent with the provisions and obligations of international humanitarian law, and taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the protection of the Palestinian civilian population,^[3]

Stressing also the need to ensure accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in order to end impunity, ensure justice, deter further violations, protect civilians and promote peace,

Calling for the release of the bodies that have not yet been returned to their relatives, in line with international humanitarian law and human rights law, in order to ensure dignified closure in accordance with their religious beliefs and traditions,

Recalling the mutual recognition 31 years ago between the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people,^[4] and stressing the urgent need for efforts to ensure full compliance with the agreements concluded between the two sides,

Stressing the need, in particular, for an immediate halt to all actions contrary to international law that undermine trust and prejudge final status issues,

Urging renewed and coordinated efforts by the international community aimed at restoring a political horizon and advancing and accelerating the conclusion of a peace treaty to achieve without delay an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 by resolving all outstanding issues, including all final status issues, without exception, for a just, lasting and peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in accordance with the internationally recognized basis of the two-State solution, and of the Arab-Israeli conflict, for the realization of a comprehensive peace in the Middle East,

Recognizing the efforts being undertaken by the Palestinian Government, with international support, to reform, develop, strengthen and preserve its institutions and infrastructure, despite the obstacles presented by the ongoing Israeli occupation, commending in this regard the ongoing efforts to develop the institutions of an independent Palestinian State, and stressing the need to promote intra-Palestinian reconciliation,

Expressing concern about the risks posed to the significant achievements made, as confirmed by the positive assessments by the international institutions regarding readiness for statehood, owing to the negative impact of the current instability and financial crisis being faced by the Palestinian Government and the continued absence of a credible political horizon,

Welcoming the ongoing efforts of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for the Coordination of the International Assistance to Palestinians, chaired by Norway, and noting its recent meeting held at the ministerial level in New York on 26 September 2024,

Recognizing the positive contribution of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, which is aimed, inter alia, at enhancing development support and assistance to the Palestinian people and strengthening institutional capacity in line with Palestinian national priorities,

Welcoming the assistance extended by the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development, held in in Ramallah and Jericho in July 2019, in support of Palestinian efforts towards an independent Palestinian State through the sharing of the experience of East Asian countries in economic development and exploring effective means of cooperation, aimed at contributing to the promotion of Palestinian development, the Middle East peace process and regional stability,

Taking note of the application of Palestine for admission to membership in the United Nations, submitted on 23 September 2011,^[5] and the vote of the Security Council on 18 April 2024,^[6] and taking note also of its resolution ES-10/23 of 10 May 2024, by which, inter alia, it recommended that the Security Council reconsider the matter favourably,

Taking note also of its resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012, by which, inter alia, Palestine was accorded non-member observer State status in the United Nations, and taking note further of the follow-up report of the Secretary-General,^[7]

Acknowledging the efforts being undertaken by civil society to promote respect for human rights and a peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, stressing the need for the protection of civil society actors to allow them to conduct their work freely and without fear of attacks and harassment from any party, and rejecting any attack against civil society,

Stressing the urgency of achieving without delay an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967,

Affirming once again the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders,

Recalling the Arab Peace Initiative, adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States at its fourteenth session, held in Beirut on 27 and 28 March 2002,^[8] and stressing its importance in the efforts to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace,

1. Reiterates its call for the achievement, without delay, of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, including Security Council resolution 2334 (2016), the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative, and an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967, including of East Jerusalem, and reaffirms in this regard its unwavering support, in accordance with international law, for the two-State solution of Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within recognized borders, based on the pre-1967 borders;
2. Welcomes the launch on 27 September 2024, during the high-level week of the General Assembly and upon the initiative of Saudi Arabia, Norway and the European Union, of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and its first meeting, held in Riyadh on 30 and 31 October 2024;
3. Stresses the need to urgently exert collective efforts to launch credible negotiations on all final status issues in the Middle East peace process based on the long-standing terms of reference and clear parameters and within the time frame specified by the Quartet in its statement of 21 September 2010, and calls once more for the intensification of efforts by the parties, including through meaningful negotiations, with the support of the international community, towards the conclusion of a final just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement;
4. Calls for the timely convening of an international conference in Moscow, as envisioned by the Security Council in its resolution 1850 (2008), for the advancement and acceleration of the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement;
5. Stresses that compliance with and respect for the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, is a cornerstone of peace and security in the region;
6. Calls upon both parties to act responsibly and in compliance with international law and their previous agreements and obligations, in both their policies and actions, in order to, with the support of the Quartet and other international and regional partners, urgently reverse negative trends, including all measures taken on the ground that are contrary to international law, and create the conditions necessary for a credible political horizon and the advancement of peace efforts;
7. Demands that Israel, the occupying Power, comply strictly with its obligations under international law, including as reflected in the advisory opinion of the International Court of 19 July 2024, including to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as rapidly as possible, to cease immediately all new settlement activities and to evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and to put an end to its unlawful acts, including by repealing all legislation and measures creating or maintaining the unlawful situation, inter alia, those which discriminate against the Palestinian people, as well as all measures aimed at modifying the demographic composition of any parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem;
8. Rejects any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce the territory of Gaza, stresses that the Gaza Strip constitutes an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967, and reaffirms the vision of the two-State solution, with the Gaza Strip as part of the Palestinian State;
9. Recalls the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of land by force and therefore the illegality of the annexation of any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, which constitutes a breach of international law, undermines the viability of the two-State solution and challenges the prospects for the achievement of a peaceful settlement and of just, lasting and comprehensive peace;
10. Stresses the need, in particular, for an immediate halt to all settlement activities, land confiscation and home demolitions, for the pursuit of measures to ensure accountability, and for the release of prisoners and an end to arbitrary arrests and detentions;
11. Also stresses the need for respect for and preservation of the territorial unity, contiguity and integrity of all the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem;
12. Further stresses the need for an immediate and complete cessation of all acts of violence, including military attacks, destruction and acts of terror, as well as all acts of provocation and incitement;
13. Reaffirms its commitment, in accordance with international law, to the two-State solution of Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within recognized borders, based on the pre-1967 borders;
14. Underscores in this regard the affirmation by the Security Council in its resolution 2334 (2016) of its determination to examine practical ways and means to secure the full implementation of its relevant resolutions;
15. Calls for:

(a)     The withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem;

(b)     The realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination and the right to their independent State;

(c)     A just resolution of the problem of Palestine refugees in conformity with its resolution 194 (III) of 11 December 1948;

16. Calls upon all States, consistent with their obligations under the Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions, inter alia:

(a)     Not to recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations, including by ensuring that agreements with Israel do not imply recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the territories occupied by Israel in 1967;

(b)     To distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967;

(c)     Not to render aid or assistance to illegal settlement activities, including not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connection with settlements in the occupied territories, in line with Security Council resolution 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980;

(d)     To respect and ensure respect for international law, in all circumstances, including through measures of accountability, consistent with international law;

17. Recalls its decision to convene during the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly an international conference under the auspices of the Assembly for the implementation of the United Nations resolutions pertaining to the question of Palestine and the two-State solution for the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, and decides to adopt the modalities set out in the annex to the present resolution for the convening of this international conference;
18. Urges all States and the United Nations to continue and expedite the provision of economic, humanitarian and technical assistance to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Government during this critical period in order to help to alleviate the serious humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, which is catastrophic in the Gaza Strip, to rehabilitate the Palestinian economy and infrastructure and to support the development and strengthening of Palestinian institutions and Palestinian State-building efforts in preparation for independence;
19. Recalls the conclusion of the International Court of Justice, in its advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, that Israel is under an obligation to provide full reparation for the damage caused by its internationally wrongful acts to all natural or legal persons concerned;
20. Requests the Secretary-General, including through his Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, to continue his efforts with the parties concerned, and in consultation with the Security Council, including with regard to the reporting required pursuant to resolution 2334 (2016), towards the attainment of a peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the promotion of peace in the region.

Annex

Modalities for the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution

1. The High-level International Conference (hereinafter “the Conference”) will be aimed at advancing the implementation of the United Nations resolutions pertaining to the question of Palestine and the two-State solution for the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
2. The Conference shall be entitled “High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution”.
3. The Conference will be held from 2 to 4 June 2025, in New York, preceded by a preparatory meeting, to be held in May 2025.
4. The Conference will adopt an action-oriented outcome document entitled “Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and implementation of the two-State solution”, to urgently chart an irreversible pathway towards the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution.
5. The Conference will consist of:

(a)     Plenary meetings, to be held in the General Assembly Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m. on 3 June and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m. on 4 June;

(b)     Thematic round tables, to be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m. on 2 June.

6. The Conference will have:

(a)     An opening segment on the first day of the plenary meetings, which will include, inter alia, statements from the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General and the Co-Chairs of the Conference;

(b)     A closing segment on the second day of the plenary meetings.

7. All States are encouraged to be represented at the highest possible level and to make statements in plenary of up to five minutes.
8. Entities having received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the work of the General Assembly are invited to participate in the Conference and to make statements in plenary of up to five minutes.
9. The United Nations system, including the relevant funds, programmes, specialized agencies and regional commissions, as well as the Bretton Woods institutions, are invited to participate in the Conference and to make statements in the thematic round tables.
10. Two Co-Chairs of the Conference shall be appointed.
11. The Co-Chairs are requested to facilitate open, transparent and inclusive intergovernmental consultations on the preparatory process of the Conference, and the intergovernmental preparatory process of the Conference shall consist of:

(a)     Negotiations to conclude the outcome document with adequate time for the negotiating sessions;

(b)     Determination of the topics and organization of the thematic round tables and designation by the Co-Chairs of the Conference of Co-Chairs for the thematic round tables;

(c)     Preparatory discussions for the thematic round tables, in coordination with the designated Co-Chairs of the round tables.

12. The Secretary-General is requested to provide adequate support to the organization of and preparations for the Conference.
13. The Conference shall be webcast, and the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General are encouraged to give the highest visibility to the Conference, including during its preparation, through all relevant media platforms and information and communications technologies.

      * Any changes to the list of sponsors will be reflected in the official record of the meeting.

      [1] A/78/968.

      [2] See A/ES-10/273 and A/ES-10/273/Corr.1.

      [3] A/ES-10/794.

      [4] See A/48/486-S/26560, annex.

      [5] A/66/371-S/2011/592, annex I.

        [6] See S/PV.9609.

      [7] A/67/738.

      [8] A/56/1026-S/2002/932, annex II, resolution 14/221.