The UN General Assembly is likely to vote next week on a Palestinian draft resolution demanding Israel end its "illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory" within six months, reports "Reuters", quoted by News.bg.
The main purpose of the draft resolution, written by the Palestinian Authority and seen by "Reuters", is to welcome the International Court of Justice's July advisory opinion, which said Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements is illegal and must be withdrawn.
While the advisory opinion of the United Nations' highest court says this should be done "as soon as possible," the draft General Assembly resolution sets a six-month timetable for implementation.
The Arab group, the "Organization of Islamic Cooperation" and "The Singles Movement" demanded on Monday that the 193-member UN General Assembly vote on September 18. The language of the eight-page draft resolution is subject to change before it is submitted for consideration and a vote.
The vote will take place just days before world leaders arrive in New York for their annual meeting at the United Nations.
Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, called on the General Assembly to "strongly reject this disgraceful resolution and instead adopt a resolution condemning Hamas and calling for the immediate release of all hostages.
The International Court of Justice's advisory opinion was not binding, but it carries weight under international law and could weaken support for Israel. The resolution of the General Assembly is also not binding, but it has political weight.
Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem — areas of historic Palestine that Palestinians want for a state — during the Middle East war in 1967 and since then has been building settlements in the West Bank and constantly expanding them.
The current war in the Gaza Strip began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen invaded Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.