General Assembly Says Resolution 242 “does Not Provide” Solution to the Palestinian Problem

— The General Assembly today adopted five resolutions reaffirming Palestinian rights, calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and expressing “grave concern” that Security Council Resolution 242 “does not provide for the future and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.”

The major resolution, which requested the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all “occupied territories” including Jerusalem and the establishment of a Palestinian state, was adopted by a vote of 98-16 with 32 abstentions. Among the 16 negative votes were those of Israel, the United States and all of the West European countries, except France which abstained. The resolution also requested a meeting of the Security Council to take effective measures including sanctions to make Israel comply with the resolution.

Israeli diplomats at the UN noted that during last year’s General Assembly a similar resolution received brooder support with a vote of 117-14 with 19 abstentions. According to Israel’s UN Ambassador Yehuda Blum today’s vote showed that support for the Palestine Liberation Organization is declining here.

Another of the resolutions adopted today was devoted to Jerusalem and condemnation of Israeli moves concerning the Holy City. With Israel alone casting the negative vote, the Assembly adopted the Jerusalem resolution by 143 votes with four abstentions — the U.S., Malawi, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. The resolution decided “not to recognize” Israel’s recent Basic Law declaring the city as the united capital of Israel. It also sharply denounced Israeli measures taken to change Jerusalem.

Another resolution adopted today attacked the Camp David accords, declaring them “null and void.”