Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Vote with International Consensus to End Israel’s Unlawful Occupation
PRESS RELEASE
Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Vote with International Consensus to End Israel’s Unlawful Occupation
The General Delegation of Palestine welcomes the positive votes of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in favour of two significant United Nations resolutions pertaining to the question of Palestine. Yesterday, the UN General Assembly voted by an overwhelming majority to demand inter alia that Israel, the occupying Power, bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) as rapidly as possible, immediately cease all new settlement activities, and evacuate all settlers from the OPT, and to convene a High-level International Conference for the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution.
These resolutions reaffirm the critical importance of ensuring adherence and respect for international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, and for international justice institutions such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC). The General Delegation urges the international community, including Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, to propose and enforce mechanisms to implement these important resolutions, including imposing sanctions on the Israeli occupation and collectively recognising the State of Palestine without further delay.
Recent achievements in the international legal struggle for Palestinian rights send a powerful message to Israel, the occupying Power, that the rule of law will prevail; Israel unlawful occupation will end and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination, will be achieved. The General Delegation is further encouraged by the release of Amnesty International’s landmark report, ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza, and urges all States to consider and act upon the findings and recommendations of this widely respected organisation.
In addition to international legal efforts, the Palestinian government and people will also continue to leverage all available tools to achieve their rights. This includes the development and ongoing reform of vibrant, viable, and democratic institutions on the ground capable of providing quality services and strengthening the resilience and steadfastness of our Palestinian people.
The realisation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent, sovereign State of Palestine on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, is within reach. This is not baseless optimism – significant regional and global political changes and international legal milestones have the potential to establish an enabling environment for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to finally be achieved. The General Delegation also acknowledges with appreciation the positive trajectory of the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand governments in increasingly recognising and supporting Palestinian rights.
The time to act is now. The General Delegation of Palestine calls on Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and all peace-loving States to take immediate and tangible actions to implement these resolutions and ensure the protection and rights of the Palestinian people, which have been unjustly denied for far too long.
For more information, please contact the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.