Gilad Erdan, Israel's ambassador to the UN: "Every country that supported the decision to go to trial in The Hague made a 'death certificate' to the chance of reconciliation" (spokesperson of the Israeli delegation to the UN)
The UN General Assembly will vote tonight (Friday) on a proposed resolution according to which the International Court of Justice in The Hague will formulate a legal opinion on the question of whether the Israeli occupation of the territories is considered a permanent annexation.
why is it important
The proposed resolution promoted by the Palestinians is expected to pass with a large majority and open a legal process that may last about a year during which the judges will examine the situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Israel fears that the opinion of the International Court of Justice will lead to an increase in boycott initiatives against Israel.
"The decision is a disgrace to the UN." Erdan (Photo: Flash 90, Yonatan Zindel)
in the news center
The proposed resolution states that the Israeli presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal and asks the court to recommend the measures that the UN and the countries of the world should take against Israel because of this.
The Presidency of the United Nations General Assembly scheduled the vote for the evening hours in New York after Shabbat. In view of the voting time, Ambassador Gilad Erdan announced that he would not speak at the debate and that the US delegation to the United Nations would vote against the proposed resolution also on behalf of the State of Israel.
Behind the Scenes
President Herzog, outgoing Prime Minister Lapid and incoming Prime Minister Netanyahu held phone calls with many leaders in recent weeks in an attempt to convince as many countries as possible to vote against the decision.
The American government has also acted in this direction with many countries.
what are they saying
"The despicable decision that is expected to be made today is a disgrace to the UN and any country that supports it," said Erdan.
Erdan added: "No international body can determine that Israel is occupying Israel and that our presence in Jerusalem or Judea and Samaria is illegal. A tribunal that received a mandate from a morally distorted body like the UN has no legitimacy."
Erdan referred to the decision to hold the vote that deals with Israel specifically on Shabbat, saying that this is "another example of the moral decay of the United Nations, which prevents Israel's position from being heard in a vote whose results are predetermined."
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Gilad Ardan
The United Nations
UN General Assembly
The International Court of Justice in The Hague
United States