On Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly voted with a sweeping majority in favour of affirming Syria’s sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, deeming any unilateral Israeli action in the region null and void.
Approved during the 75th Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) session of the United Nations General Assembly, the draft resolution, titled “The Occupied Syrian Golan”, called on Israel to “desist from changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan, and in particular to desist from establishing settlements”. The text also urged the country to desist from imposing Israeli citizenship and identity cards on Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan.
The resolution reiterated that any attempts taken by Israeli authorities with the aim of changing the Golan’s character would be considered null and void, and constitute a grave violation of international law and the Geneva Convention as it relates to the protection of civilians during war.
The Golan Heights plateau stretches across nearly 1,200 square kilometres and offers expansive views of Lebanon, Syria, and the Jordan Valley, giving it strategic military importance. It was occupied by Israel in the closing stages of the Six-Day War of 1967, and since then has been claimed by both countries, with repeated negotiations failing to bring any resolution. Though Israel passed a law in 1981 effectively annexing the area, it was not internationally recognized until US President Donald Trump unilaterally declared it part of Israel in March 2019. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reaffirmed the US’ position on the matter in November, when he visited the Golan and said that Washington’s recognition of the area as Israeli territory was “simply a recognition of reality”. However, no other country has followed suit.
The committee on Wednesday approved seven draft resolutions concerning Israeli practices in occupied Arab lands, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), as well as five additional texts on various other matters, including atomic radiation effects, peaceful uses of outer space, information questions, and special political missions. The Assembly criticised all acts of violence by the Israeli military against Palestinian and Syrian civilians, as well as journalists, and medical and humanitarian personnel in the Israeli occupied territories.
UNGA Overwhelmingly Objects to Israeli Occupation of Golan Heights
The UN General Assembly voted in favour of affirming Syria’s sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights and considering any unilateral Israeli action in the region null and void.
December 5, 2020
SOURCE: THE HINDU