Israel/Palestine: Statement by the High Representative on the UN General Assembly Special Session vote

In the context of a particularly dire situation in the Middle East, I acknowledge the great significance of today's adoption by the UN General Assembly of a Resolution demanding inter alia an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory within one year, and on which a wide majority of States voted in favour.

This is the first UN General Assembly Resolution ever introduced by the State of Palestine*, the text of which had been built on the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including East Jerusalem, of 19 July 2024.

With 124 countries voting in favour, the UN General Assembly has forcefully reaffirmed its commitment to the realization of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including its right to an independent and sovereign State, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly.

In line with its longstanding common position and UN Security Council Resolutions, I reiterate the call for a lasting and sustainable peace, and reaffirm that the EU will not recognise changes to the 1967 borders, nor Israeli sovereignty over the territories occupied since 1967, unless agreed by parties.

*This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.