UN: 168 countries vote in favor of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people

NEW YORK (United Nations) – 168 countries adopted a resolution Friday supporting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination during the Third Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs of the United Nations General Assembly.

Five (5) countries opposed the resolution (Zionist entity, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and United States) and (9) countries abstained in the vote.

The resolution reaffirms 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 to support and assist the Palestinian people to realize their right to self-determination as soon as possible.

The resolution stressed the urgent need to end the Zionist occupation without delay and achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement between the Palestinian parties and the Zionist entity, based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, Madrid Mandate, Arab Peace Initiative and Road Map Plan, to find a permanent solution to the Palestinian-Zionist conflict based on two states.

The Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations in New York, Riyad Mansour, welcomed 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 that, just as these countries achieved freedom and independence, Palestine will not no exception and will take its natural place among nations as an independent state with Al Quds-East as its capital.

APS