UN urges Gaza truce, backs Palestine agency

陈小将

The international community has thrown its support behind the United Nations Palestine refugees agency following the adoption of two resolutions by the UN General Assembly that demanded Israel reverse its stance against the agency and reiterated the urgent need for a cease-fire in Gaza.

In its 10th emergency special session on Wednesday, the 193-member General Assembly continued its consideration of "illegal Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory" and adopted two resolutions on the matter.

The first resolution, titled "Demand for cease-fire in Gaza", was approved with 158 votes in favor, nine against — including Israel and the United States — and 13 abstentions.

The second one, "Support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East", received 159 votes in favor, nine against and 11 abstentions.

"The Assembly also reiterated its commitment to the vision of a two-state solution, with Gaza part of the Palestinian State, and where two democratic states, Palestine and Israel, live side by side in peace," the UN said.

In addition, the General Assembly reiterated its demand for the immediate release of all hostages and compelled Israel to allow the UN Palestine refugees agency, UNRWA, to proceed with its aid operations in Gaza and the West Bank without restrictions.

In October, the Israeli parliament voted to ban UNRWA.

"The (UN) vote count tells you a lot about how the world feels about Israel's atrocities — 158 versus 9 — Israel is isolated more than ever," Muslim Imran, director of the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue in Malaysia, told China Daily.

While such votes and resolutions may seem insignificant at times, they "build international momentum" to isolate Israel and dismantle its perceived "legitimacy", Imran said.

These actions carry "long-term, intangible value" rather than an immediate effect, he added.