World demands end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, in landslide UN vote

Summary

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to condemn Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, with 124 countries in favor and only 14 against, including the United States. The resolution demands Israel comply with international law, withdraw its forces, cease settlement activities, and make reparations. A map analysis shows a global divide, with Western countries largely supporting Israel and the global South backing Palestine. The International Court of Justice has ruled Israel's occupation illegal, yet the US continues to support Israel, highlighting the West's disregard for international law in favor of maintaining its geopolitical interests.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to condemn Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, with 124 countries in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstaining.
• 🌍 The vote highlights a geographical divide, with the majority of Western countries supporting Israel and the majority of the global South supporting Palestine.
• 🏆 The resolution demands that Israel comply with international law, withdraw its military forces, cease settlement activities, and make reparations to Palestinians.
• 🏠 It calls for the return of land and property seized since 1967 and for displaced Palestinians to be allowed to return to their homes.
• 📜 The resolution is based on an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, which declared Israel's occupation illegal and called for an end to it.
• 🏝️ Notable exceptions to the voting pattern include Japan, which voted in favor of the resolution, and India, which abstained despite historical support for Palestinian rights.
• 🏛️ The United States, along with a few allies, voted against the resolution, aligning with its longstanding support for Israel despite international legal opinions.
• 🌐 The script criticizes the West's attempt to replace international law with a 'rules-based order' that serves its interests, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• 🛡️ The United States is accused of using its influence and military aid to support Israel's occupation, despite it being deemed illegal by the highest UN legal authority.
• 📊 The script suggests that the US Empire is in decline, which may explain its increasingly desperate measures to maintain control, including through its support of Israel.

Q & A

What was the main resolution voted on at the United Nations regarding Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory?

The main resolution called for Israel to comply with international law, withdraw its military forces immediately, cease all new settlement activity, evacuate all settlers from occupied land, and dismantle parts of the separation wall. It also demanded that Israel return land and other immovable property, as well as all assets seized since 1967, and allow all displaced Palestinians to return to their place of origin.

How did the vote at the United Nations General Assembly turn out in terms of support for the resolution?

The vote was overwhelming with 124 countries voting in support of the resolution, 14 countries voting against, including the United States and its allies, and 43 countries abstaining.

What percentage of UN member states voted in favor of the resolution?

64% of the 193 UN member states voted in favor of the resolution.

Which countries were notably against the resolution besides the United States?

Notably, Argentina under the far-right government led by Javier M, Paraguay, Hungary, and Czechia also voted against the resolution.

What was the stance of India on this resolution and why is it considered shameful?

India abstained from the resolution, which is considered shameful because historically, India had been a leader of the non-aligned movement and had strongly supported the Palestinian struggle for human rights and liberation. However, in recent years, India has been governed by a far-right political party, the BJP, which is anti-Muslim and has allied more closely with the United States and Israel.

What was the significance of Japan voting in support of the resolution?

Japan's vote in support of the resolution was significant as it is one of the closest US allies and a member of the G7. This indicates a historical shift in Japan's stance towards supporting Palestine due to concerns over Israel's actions in Gaza.

What did the International Court of Justice state about Israel's presence in the occupied Palestinian territory?

The International Court of Justice stated that Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and that Israel is under an obligation to end its unlawful presence as rapidly as possible, cease all new settlement activities, and make reparations for the damage caused.

How does the speaker describe the West's approach to international law and the 'rules-based order'?

The speaker describes the West's approach as an attempt to replace international law with an arbitrary set of rules created by the West to impose an international dictatorship. The West is accused of violating international law by supporting Israeli occupation and using measures such as sanctions, regime change operations, and economic blockades to force countries to comply with its dictates.

Why does the United States support Israel so strongly according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that the United States supports Israel strongly because Israel serves as an extension of the US Empire and is strategically located in a region rich with oil and gas resources. Israel is also described as an 'unsinkable aircraft carrier' for the US, protecting its interests in the Middle East.

What is the speaker's view on the current state of the US Empire?

The speaker views the US Empire as being in decline, becoming more extreme and desperate, and willing to use more extreme measures and violence in an attempt to maintain its hegemony and control over the world.