A UN resolution is a formal expression of the opinion or will of a UN body (usually the Security Council or General Assembly). It follows a relatively strict format and can be passed by a majority vote after a lengthy process. Resolutions are issued by the Security Council or the General Assembly, and are legally binding on all members of the United Nations.
Almost every major crisis facing the UN over the years has been marked by deadlock and failure to respond effectively, in part because of the use of the veto by the permanent five-member council (the P5). Often, these vetoes have been seen as shielding the geopolitical interests of one or more P5 states at the expense of international peace and security.
This resolution called on the International Court of Justice to render an advisory opinion on “the legal consequences arising from the ongoing violation by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.” It was adopted with 128 votes in favour, 9 against, 35 abstentions and 21 absences.
This resolution welcomed the intensifying cooperation between the United Nations and the Arab League, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace and commended the appointment of the Joint Special Representative for Syria. It was adopted with 14 votes in favour, 1 against (the United States) and 2 abstentions (China and Russia). It was the first resolution on Gaza since the start of the war and requested the Secretary-General to appoint a Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator tasked with establishing a mechanism for accelerating humanitarian consignments into the Gaza Strip.