UNITED NATIONS, Dec 4: The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday adopted six resolutions by overwhelming majorities lambasting Israeli policies in the occupied territories and called for renewed efforts to restore peace in the Middle East.
The resolutions were adopted following UNGA’s annual debate on the question of Palestine and the situation in Middle East despite opposition from the US and Israel.
Though the UNGA resolutions are not legally binding, as Security Council resolutions are, but they are a reflection of world opinion. Each resolution received over 100 votes in favour from some 160 nations.
By the terms of a resolution on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, States were urged to expedite aid to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority during this critical period.
The resolution also called on the concerned sides, the diplomatic Quartet to halt the deterioration of the situation and to reverse all measures taken on the ground since Sep 28, 2000.
A resolution on Al Quds deplored the transfer by some states of their diplomatic missions to that city in violation of Security Council resolution and called on those countries to abide by the provisions of the relevant UN resolutions.
The Assembly also stressed that a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of Al Quds should be arrived at by both Palestinian and Israeli sides, and should include internationally guaranteed provisions to ensure the freedom of religion and of conscience of its inhabitants, as well as permanent, free and unhindered access to holy places by people of all religions and nationalities.
Through another resolution, the Assembly demanded that Israel withdraw from all the occupied Syrian Golan to the line of June 4, 1967.
