UN Demands Israel Withdraw From Palestinian Territories Within 12 Months

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a nonbinding resolution on Sept. 18 demanding Israel withdraw from Palestinian territories within 12 months. The resolution was adopted by a two-thirds majority during an emergency session, with 124 delegates in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstaining. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, was among those in opposition. The vote was in response to an advisory opinion issued in July by the International Court of Justice, the United Nations’ top court, that said Israel’s presence in the Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end. The court’s opinion is also not legally binding. The resolution put forward by the Palestinian Authority, a nonmember observer at the U.N. General Assembly, demands Israel withdraw its forces and evacuate Israeli settlers from Gaza and the West Bank “without delay.”...