ISLAMABAD: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution calling for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied Palestinian territory, with Pakistan, which voted in favour of the text, reiterating that there must be a peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and Palestinians must be allowed to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.
The resolution, titled ‘Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine’, was adopted with 151 countries voting in favour, 11 voting against and 11 abstaining, according to the summary posted by the UN.
During the debate, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad stated that Pakistan’s position has been clear and consistent. “We reiterate that the occupation of occupied Palestinian Territory must end, and Palestinian people must be allowed to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and establish their independent State. We support all sincere efforts that help in ending the bloodshed, protect civilians, prevent displacement, rebuild Gaza and advance a comprehensive peace grounded in international law,” he added.
However, he pointed out, this requires sustained international attention and concerted efforts going forward, as the situation on the ground shows how far we still have to go. “Ceasefire violations continue, with Israeli strikes taking hundreds of Palestinian lives. In the West Bank, settler violence has risen to its highest levels. Entire communities have been uprooted, so Security Council Resolution 2803 must be implemented in good faith,” he added.
Momentum generated at Sharm El-Sheikh must be sustained particularly by advancing Palestinian-led governance, reconstruction and institution building and the Palestinian Authority’s role is central in this regard. “Peace cannot be shaped without the direct involvement and ownership of the Palestinian people. This should proceed in parallel with the structured follow-up to the Two-State Conference mandated by the General Assembly. Second, the ceasefire must be implemented fully, with no unilateral actions or military activity.
Withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza remains essential,” he pointed
out. Pakistan said clearly that there must be no annexation, no forced displacement, and no division of occupied lands. In this regard, settlement activity must stop. Efforts to change the demographic or legal character of the occupied territories, including around Al-Haram Al-Sharif, are illegal and must end.
