Global Majority Backs UNRWA as UN General Assembly Confronts Gaza Crisis
- ATN
- Dec 5, 2025
- 4 min read
By ATN News
UNHQ, New York: The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday adopted 40 resolutions and decisions recommended by its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), advancing actions on the world’s 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, reaffirming support for Palestine refugees, and issuing sharp criticism of Israeli settlement policies amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Half of the resolutions required recorded votes — a reflection of deepening geopolitical divisions — yet the Assembly still delivered overwhelming majorities on the most contentious files, particularly those concerning UNRWA, property rights of Palestine refugees, and Israeli practices in occupied territories.
Strong International Backing for UNRWA Amid Gaza Catastrophe
Against the backdrop of the Gaza war and the collapse of humanitarian conditions on the ground, Member States adopted two key UNRWA-related resolutions with commanding majorities.
“Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”
145 in favor, 10 against, 18 abstentions
The resolution condemned the killing and injury of more than 300 UNRWA staff, affirmed full support for the Agency’s mandate, and demanded that Israel respect UN privileges and immunities. It also warned against efforts to restrict or politicize the Agency’s operations.
“Assistance to Palestine Refugees”
151 in favor, 10 against, 14 abstentions
The Assembly extended UNRWA’s mandate until 30 June 2029, praising its stabilizing role and essential services across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Speaking for the Shared Commitments Core Group, Luxembourg highlighted the New York Declaration on UNRWA and referenced the International Court of Justice advisory opinion, which reaffirmed Israel’s obligation as an occupying Power to allow the Agency to operate.
China announced a $100 million contribution to support Gaza’s humanitarian response and future recovery, calling the crisis a continuation of “historic injustice.”
Assembly Reaffirms Palestinian Refugees’ Property Rights
A third resolution — “Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues” — passed with 157 votes in favor, reaffirming refugee ownership rights and entitlement to income derived from those properties. Only 10 countries voted against.
Sharp Rebuke of Israeli Policies in Occupied Territories
The Assembly adopted multiple resolutions targeting Israeli practices:
Israeli Practices and Settlement Activities
88 in favor, 19 against, 64 abstentions
The resolution deplored Israel’s human rights violations, settlement expansion, and obstruction of the UN Special Committee’s mandate.
Israeli Settlements in the OPT and Occupied Syrian Golan
146 in favor, 13 against, 17 abstentions
Member States reaffirmed that settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Syrian Golan are illegal under international law, and urged targeted measures against extremist settlers and organizations supporting them.
Occupied Syrian Golan
146 in favor, 6 against, 23 abstentions
The Assembly demanded Israel cease altering the Golan’s demographic, legal, and physical character.
Iran supported the overall thrust of the resolutions but dissociated from any language it views as conferring recognition of Israel.
Decolonization Front: Calls to End “Incompatible” Colonial Practices
Under its core decolonization agenda, the Assembly adopted the resolution on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples with 132 votes in favor, while Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States opposed.
The text reaffirmed that colonialism — including modern economic exploitation — is incompatible with the UN Charter, and urged administering Powers to accelerate cooperation with the Special Committee on Decolonization on tailored roadmaps for the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories.
New International Day Against Colonialism
In a notable first, the Assembly established 14 December as the International Day Against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations, beginning in 2025. The proposal passed with 116 votes in favor and only two against.
Western Sahara Resolution Adopted Without a Vote
The Assembly welcomed continued engagement by all parties and encouraged an environment conducive to good-faith negotiations.
Additional resolutions addressed information transmission obligations, economic activities in the Territories, support from specialized agencies, and study/training opportunities for Territory inhabitants. Territory-specific resolutions were also adopted for: American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Tokelau, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands, along with a decision on Gibraltar.
Global Communications: Push for Multilingual Press Releases
Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted two resolutions from the Committee on Information, including a directive urging the Department of Global Communications to deliver daily press releases in all six official UN languages “as a matter of priority.”Member States also called for strengthened media infrastructure in developing countries and enhanced protection for journalists.
Special Political Missions, Atomic Radiation, Outer Space
Other adopted texts included:
Comprehensive review of special political missions
169 in favor, 2 against (Israel, United States)
Effects of atomic radiation
Assistance in mine action
Peaceful uses of outer space
Space science and technology for peace
Four decisions expanding membership of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
The proposed work program for the Fourth Committee’s next session
Türkiye dissociated from one preambular paragraph but supported the broader resolution on special political missions.
A Session Marked by Heavy Engagement
Introducing the Committee’s report, Rapporteur Dávid Tamas Sz Nagy of Hungary noted:
28 plenary meetings
465 statements delivered
171 petitioners heard
Representatives of five Non-Self-Governing Territories participated directly
He said the volume reflects “the sustained interest of the international community in the important matters before the Committee.”