UN Endorses Palestinian Sovereignty Over Natural Resources, Condemns Israeli Occupation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces an arrest warrant from the ICC for crimes against humanity and genocide against Palestinians.

UN Endorses Palestinian Sovereignty Over Natural Resources, Condemns Israeli Occupation

By NATIONWEEK News Desk | November 14, 2026

NEW YORK, NY – In a powerful affirmation of international law and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, the United Nations General Assembly’s Second Committee overwhelmingly adopted a landmark resolution on November 11, 2026, asserting Palestinian sovereignty over their natural resources in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and extending similar protections to the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan.

The resolution, titled “Permanent Sovereignty of the Palestinian People in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab Population in the Occupied Syrian Golan Over Their Natural Resources,” was spearheaded by the influential Group of 77 and China. Its passage with a commanding 151 votes in favor sends an unequivocal message from the global community. Notably, all European Union member states and Canada supported the resolution, demonstrating broad international consensus. Only seven nations – the United States, Israel, Colombia, Paraguay, Palau, Nauru, and Micronesia – voted against it, with 11 abstentions.

This decisive vote champions the rights of the Palestinian people and reinforces foundational principles of international humanitarian law. The resolution explicitly affirms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which protects civilians in times of war, to the entirety of the occupied Palestinian Territory. It further references the crucial Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 19, 2024, detailing the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and unequivocally declaring the illegality of Israel’s continued presence.

Further strengthening its legal grounding, the resolution recalls the ICJ’s 2004 Advisory Opinion concerning the separation wall in the occupied West Bank. It also underscores the binding nature of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in the context of Palestinian natural resources.

At its core, the resolution demands that Israel cease its exploitation of these vital resources and affirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to claim restitution for such exploitation. It highlights that Israel’s continuous construction of settlements, the illegal wall, and other related actions are inherently detrimental to the Palestinian environment, exacerbating an already fragile situation.

In a direct appeal echoing previous calls, the resolution reaffirms Security Council Resolution 2334, which urged all states to differentiate between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. This distinction is paramount in upholding the legal framework governing the occupation.

Minister Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, hailed the overwhelming vote as a powerful testament to the international community’s unwavering support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, specifically their sovereign claim over their natural resources. He extended profound appreciation to the nations that voted in favor of this pivotal resolution, acknowledging their commitment to justice and international law.

This UN resolution arrives amidst a grim backdrop of ongoing violations and escalating humanitarian crises in the occupied territories, as evidenced by recent reports of Israeli forces’ aggression, settler violence, and dire conditions in Gaza. Its adoption provides a crucial legal and moral framework for accountability and offers a beacon of hope for the eventual realization of Palestinian self-determination and environmental justice.

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