RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday welcomed the UN General Assembly's adoption of a resolution requesting an International Court of Justice advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations in Gaza, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Arabia expressed gratitude to nations that supported the resolution, emphasizing its aim to assist the Palestinian people amidst their ongoing challenges.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also expressed on Friday its support for the UN General Assembly’s recent approval of the resolution.
The UN body voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to adopt the resolution, which called on the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion on Israel’s humanitarian obligations to ensure and facilitate the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid necessary for the survival of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
The resolution, drafted by Norway, was adopted with 137 member states voting in favor. Israel, the US and 10 other countries voted against it, and 22 abstained.
The OIC commended the efforts of Norway and other co-sponsoring countries for championing the resolution, SPA added.
In a statement, the OIC said Israel’s policies, including legislation impacting the presence, operations, and immunities of the UN and its agencies — such as the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees — and other international entities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, contravene the UN Charter and its resolutions.
“These actions deprive the Palestinian people of essential assistance and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis they are experiencing,” the organization stated.
The OIC also welcomed the UN General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution affirming the “permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources.”
Reiterating its commitment to Palestinian rights, the OIC urged all states, international organizations, and UN agencies to work toward ending Israel’s occupation and enabling Palestinians to realize their right to self-determination.
The organization called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
