Malawi Opts Against Israel Withdrawal In Palestine.

By Joseph Dumbula

Malawi is among 14 countries that, on Wednesday, voted no to a UN General Assembly resolution demanding that Israel complies with the ruling of the UN court and withdraw from the occupied territory of Palestine.

The resolution was adopted after it received 124 votes in favor, while 43 countries abstained and Israel, the United States and 12 others, including Malawi, voted no.

It perhaps does not come as surprising as the Southern African nation Malawians has strong ties with Israel as the country experts non-skilled labour Israel.

In addition, Malawi has also strong ties with the US which is a strong ally of Israel.

Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour told the Security Council last month that he planned to introduce the General Assembly resolution this month to enshrine the ICJ ruling.

"We are sick and tired of waiting," he said. "The time for waiting is over" he said.

The resolution includes other demands, including for Israel to be held accountable for any violations of international law, sanctions against those responsible for maintaining Israel's presence in the territories, and for countries to halt arms exports to Israel if they're suspected of being used in the territories.

The resolution is not legally binding but the extent of its support reflects world opinion.

Meanwhile, government is being urged to rescind the vote.

Asabuni Phiri National Coordinator Palestine Solidarity Movement Malawi argues that Malawi being a member of the genocide convention and signatory of the human rights council needed to side with the resolution.

Phiri has therefore called on government to overturn its decision in order to end what he described as atrocities against the Palestinians.