Common ground on the Israel-Gaza war could give China a chance to improve ties with Europe, an observer said, after various European countries and Beijing backed a UN call for an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories.
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In the non-binding vote at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, at least 10 European countries, including France and Spain, urged Israel to “end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within 12 months and to “cease immediately all new settlement activity”.
They also called for the return of land seized since 1967 and the repatriation of displaced Palestinians.
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Only two European nations – the Czech Republic and Hungary – voted with the United States and Israel against the resolution. Others, including Germany and Italy, abstained.
China was among the 124 countries that voted in favour.