United Nations — India has joined 144 other nations in backing a United Nations (UN) resolution that condemns Israel’s settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan. The resolution was passed with overwhelming support, with only seven countries voting against it and 18 abstentions.
The UN resolution, titled “Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan,” aims to denounce settlement activities that involve the confiscation of land, disrupt the livelihood of protected persons, force the transfer of civilians, and annex land through de facto or national legislation.
India’s decision to vote in favor of the resolution marks a shift in its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Last month, the country had abstained from voting on a resolution proposed by Jordan that called for an immediate humanitarian truce amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. This change in position reflects India’s growing concern over Israel’s settlement activities and its commitment to promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The resolution’s passage comes after the approval of its draft on Thursday, highlighting the international community’s collective effort to address the issue. It sends a strong message to Israel and the world about the global consensus against the expansion of settlements in Palestinian and Syrian territories.
However, it is worth noting that several countries, including Canada, Israel, and the United States, voted against the resolution. Their opposition underscores the ongoing divisions and differing perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict within the international community.
The UN resolution and India’s support for it are expected to further intensify the debate surrounding the Israeli settlements and their impact on the prospects for a two-state solution. The resolution’s condemnation of settlement activities aims to preserve the viability of a future Palestinian state and promote the peaceful coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians.
As the situation in the region continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this resolution and India’s stance will influence the broader dynamics of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The international community’s efforts to find a lasting and just solution to the conflict will require continued dialogue, diplomacy, and engagement from all parties involved.
