India refrains from voting as UN General Assembly adopts resolution for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza

India refrained from voting in the UN General Assembly on Sep 18 in response to a motion requesting that Israel terminate its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory "without delay" within a year.

The resolution was adopted by the 193-member General Assembly with 124 votes in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions, including India's.

Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Nepal, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom were among those who refrained from voting.

'Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences arising from Israel's policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and from the illegality of Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was the resolution that was voted down by several countries, including the US and Israel.

"Israel brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which constitutes a wrongful act of a continuing character entailing its international responsibility, and does so no later than 12 months from the adoption of the present resolution," it said.

The resolution also expressed strong disapproval of the Government of Israel's persistent and complete disregard for its obligations under international law, the United Nations Charter, and pertinent United Nations resolutions.

It emphasized that these breaches pose a serious threat to regional and global peace and security.

Palestinian National Authority President and the president of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas hailed the resolution and encouraged countries to take action to pressure Israel to follow it.

"The international consensus over this resolution renews the hopes of our Palestinian people — who are facing comprehensive aggression and genocide in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem — to achieve its aspirations of freedom and independence and establishing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital," said Abbas.

In addition, Palestinians acknowledged that Israel "must bear the legal consequences of all its internationally wrongful acts, including by making reparation for the injury, including any damage, caused by such acts."

Israel must be held accountable for any violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including any violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The UNGA, whose aim is to promote "respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms," comprises every sovereign country in the globe, therefore this decision demonstrates the breadth of worldwide resistance to Israel's occupation of Palestine.

The resolution supported an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN's top court, which concluded that Israel's existence in the Palestinian territories is illegal and must be terminated.

The court concluded in July that Israel is abusing its position as an occupying authority, emphasizing that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are illegal.