Yesterday, Friday, 168 countries voted on a resolution supporting the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, in the Third Committee, the “Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs” of the United Nations General Assembly.

(5) countries opposed the resolution (Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, and the United States), and (9) countries abstained from voting.

The resolution reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to have their independent state, Palestine. It urges all states, specialized agencies and organizations of the United Nations system to continue supporting and assisting the Palestinian people to achieve their right to self-determination as soon as possible.

The resolution stressed the urgent necessity to end, without delay, the Israeli occupation that began in 1967, and achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, based on the relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the road map plan, to find A permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on two states.

The Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations in New York, Riyad Mansour, praised the overwhelming support for the resolution, considering it the only option for all countries committed to international legitimacy. He also stressed that the support of many countries for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination reflects their experience and struggle against colonialism, and just as these countries achieved their freedom and independence, Palestine will not be the exception and will take its natural place among nations as an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.