Today, Israel failed, and failed miserably, to meet the one-year deadline it was allowed by the UN to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. But the world has also failed. That Sept. 18, 2024 UN General Assembly resolution, adopted 124-14, also required all states to take effective action against Israel’s violations of international law, including accountability, sanctions, and cessation of support. Most countries have joined Israel in pretending that they are under no such obligation.
The General Assembly resolution obligates states to: “prevent their citizens, companies, and authorities from ... assisting Israel’s unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territories; halt imports of goods from Israeli settlements and stop arms transfers to Israel where there is a risk they may be used in the occupied territories; [and] impose sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on individuals and entities involved in maintaining Israel’s unlawful presence, including those linked to settler violence....”
