Hamas hails UN vote for ICJ opinion on Israeli occupation

By Nour Abu Eisha

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – Palestinian resistance group Hamas has hailed a UN vote for allowing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to look into the nature of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

On Friday, the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly adopted a Palestinian draft resolution to request a legal advisory opinion from ICJ on the nature of the Israeli occupation.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said the draft resolution was supported by 98-17 votes.

"This resolution represents a breakthrough and a major step that can be used to serve the Palestinian national cause and rights," leading Hamas member Ezzt al-Risheq said in a statement.

Al-Risheq called on the Palestinian Authority and the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) "to proceed with such diplomatic endeavors and don’t bow to any pressure.”

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar