UN passes resolution on ICJ to act on Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.

United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to give an opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.

The General Assembly voted 87 to 26 with 53 abstentions on the resolution, with Western nations split but with virtually unanimous support in the Islamic world.

Russia and China voted in favour of the resolution.

The Hague-based ICJ, also known as the World Court, is the top UN court dealing with disputes between states.

Palestine’s UN ambassador Riyad Mansour noted that the vote came one day after the swearing-in of a new far-right Israeli government, which he said promises an expansion of illegal Jewish settlements and will accelerate  racist policies” towards Palestinians.

He also hailed nations that voted in favour of the resolution and were “undeterred by threats and pressure”.