Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
25 September 2024 | 12:22 CAT

The vast majority of the world voted at the UN General Assembly to demand an end to Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory within 12 months, with 124 countries (64%) in favor, 14 (7%) against, and 43 (22%) abstentions.

South African Jews for a Free Palestine have warmly received the landmark resolution passed by the UN General Assembly. This resolution, which directed Israel to vacate the occupied Palestinian territories within a year, was a significant step towards ending the illegal occupation.

Wednesday’s resolution was passed by 124 votes to 14 with 43 abstentions, prompting applause across the general assembly chamber in New York. The UK and Australia abstained, while the US voted against it.

“We support this Resolution because it’s about time that the Rights of Palestinians are respected and affirmed by the UN General Assembly,” South African Jews for a free Palestine’s Jared Sacks told Radio Islam International.

While the resolution is a crucial and long-awaited step to protect the people of Palestine, it is a stark reminder of the time lost. This resolution, which should have been enacted in 1948, is a testament to the urgent need for action.

Sacks pointed out that the UN General Assembly is a pretty weak structure and has no power to do anything. Only the Security Council and the big powers, including the United States, China, and Russia, can enforce any resolution like this.

“Because the US opposes it, we cannot get very far,” says Sacks.

However, Sacks underlined that other influential states, such as Brazil and South Africa, could significantly bolster this resolution. By threatening to provide Palestinians with more direct support, these states could exert substantial pressure and potentially help the current situation.

Meanwhile, the illegal settlements in the West Bank and any resolution would hinge on what is going to happen to these illegal settlements that have now dotted the West Bank and usurped a huge chunk of the land.

“All of Palestine is under Occupation, the illegal settlements extend into what we consider Israel right now. But only looking at the post 1967 settlements, the solution has to affirm the rights to Palestinians to return to their previous homes and lands,” Sacks explains.

The SAJFP’s duty as Jewish South Africans is to use the lessons from history and ethical traditions to fuel and fortify commitment to a world free from domination, genocide, etc, which Sacks highlighted is a Jewish Value, “trying to repair the world, fix the world, activism is a Jewish Value that many Jews have lost over the years because of the focus on Zionism and this false idea of a chosen people.”

He concluded, “we are Jews trying to bring back the values that Jews have always stood up for in the past and we believe are the values that all humans should live by.”

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Jared Sacks here.