An expert warns that a UN resolution calling for Israel to withdraw from "occupied territories" could exacerbate the already "highly volatile" situation.
According to Andrew Tucker, besides UN action, court rulings against the Jewish state may result in "more conflict."
On Wednesday, the United Nations passed a resolution drafted by Palestinians, demanding Israel withdraw from the "Occupied Palestinian Territory" within 12 months. Israel's new ambassador labeled the measure "shameful."
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon condemned the decision as a shameful act of diplomatic terrorism, following the vote.
The General Assembly is still supporting the Palestinian Authority, which supports the Hamas murderers, despite condemning the Oct. 7 massacre and calling for the release of all hostages, according to Danon.
The resolution was supported by 124 countries, with 43 abstaining and 14 voting against it. However, the United States voted against the resolution, which was also joined by Argentina, Czech Republic, Fiji, Hungary, Israel, Malawi, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, and Tuvalu.
The General Assembly has urged its members to stop importing products from Israeli settlements and to refrain from providing or transferring weapons to Israel if there is any suspicion that they may be used in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Palestinians have proposed a resolution after gaining more power as a member following a May vote, which includes the ability to suggest resolutions.
The Palestinian territories sought a resolution on the withdrawal of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories and settlements, based on a July advisory opinion by the United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ) declaring the occupation illegal.
The Hague Initiative for International Cooperation's director general, Andrew Tucker, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital prior to the resolution vote that the proposal aims to enforce the ICJ advisory opinion with a strict deadline, while the ICJ only suggested it be done "immediately."
"Tucker clarified that the court's opinion in July was not a ruling or a criminal case, but rather a legal opinion requested by the General Assembly."
"Tucker stated that the court's decision is essentially about the key issues that have been disputed between Israel and the Palestinians for decades, and the General Assembly is now implementing that opinion."
"Tucker stated that Israel's security concerns, the ongoing war in Gaza, and Hezbollah's threats from the north are all irrelevant."
""Israel's presence in the territories has become illegal because the Palestinians have an absolute right to self-determination, and this right has been given a high priority," he stated."
Tucker contended that the consequences of Israel's hasty departure could result in "more conflict" due to the possibility of Iran exploiting the opportunity to excavate in the West Bank as it did with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
If Israel withdraws from these territories, it would only be 10 kilometers away from the smallest point between the West Bank and Tel Aviv, as Tucker stated.
If the territories are hostile toward Israel, which unfortunately is the case, whoever gains control of them will result in a highly volatile security situation, as stated by him.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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