UNGA to discuss Arab draft resolution calling on Israel to remove separation wall

UN General Assembly yesterday held an open extraordinary session for discussing an Arab draft resolution calling on Israel to commit itself to the latest ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on illegitimacy of the separation wall which is set up by Israel in the West Bank and called for its removal.

As Arab delegates to the United Nations intensified meetings with the EU states representatives in the context of efforts for garnering support for the Arab draft resolution, United Nations diplomats expected that the draft resolution which is not expected to be voted on before Monday, will get approval by the majority of the General Assembly members even without counting EU votes.

However, Arab countries want to minimize the number of abstensions and opposers to the minimum so that they may be capable of getting support for imposing sanctions on Israel later.

European diplomats had criticized the draft resolution saying it did not refer to Israel's security needs or the mediation by the Quartet. The Arab draft resolution reiterates inadmissibility of acquiring land by force or threats. The draft calls on Israel to respect its legal obligations under the ICJ ruling.