by Tyler Durden
Despite intense US lobbying efforts in the other direction, the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to demand an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, approving a resolution demanding a total withdrawal within 12 months.
It passed with a final tally of 124 member states in favor, 14 against, and with 43 nations abstaining. The "no" votes include a handful of tiny island-nations which typically vote on the side of the United States. They are: United States, Hungary, Israel, Argentina, Czechia, Fiji, Malawi, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, and Tuvalu.
Palestinian representative Ryad Mansour applauds the result of a vote, via AFP The resolution calls for all UN member states to "implement sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against natural and legal persons engaged in the maintenance of Israel's unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in relation to settler violence."