A UN resolution is a decision or declaration voted on by all members of the United Nations General Assembly. In general, the body needs a simple majority of yes votes to pass a resolution. However, if the issue under consideration is “an important question” (those that deal with the maintenance of international peace and security, admission of new countries to membership, suspension of the rights and privileges of existing members, the operation of the trusteeship system, or budgetary questions) then a two-thirds majority is required.
This resolution focuses on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and criticises Israel’s policy of building Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian land. It calls on the occupying power to ensure that Palestinians can live in dignity and freedom, and cites three previous resolutions dealing with the topic: 472 (1990), 672 (1990) and 673 (2015).
The Council reaffirms the need to fully implement the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Human Rights Council, in particular resolutions 242, 262 and 338, and stresses the importance of the full implementation of the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention. It also stresses the importance of enhancing the capacity of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Hamas committed a horrific massacre of Israeli civilians on October 7, and it has since refused to halt its attacks, putting innocent Palestinians in harm’s way and prolonging their anguish. It is dangerous to reward Hamas with a Council resolution that draws false equivalence and undermines delicate diplomatic efforts for an appropriate ceasefire.