The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday revealed the proposed nominations of the new European Commission, which is expected to be confirmed by the European Parliament for a five-year term in the coming months.
The 27-member commission will include six executive vice-presidents, namely, Teresa Ribera of Spain, Henna Virkkunen of Finland, Raffaele Fitto of Italy, Roxana Minzatu of Romania, Stephane Sejourne of France and Kaja Kallas of Estonia.
Under European Union (EU) regulations, the European Parliament will review each of the 26 nominees individually. Once all candidates are approved, the new Commission can officially take office. If any nominee is rejected, the respective EU member state will need to propose a replacement.
The European Commission acts as the EU's executive body and is the only institution within the bloc with the power to propose legislation. The head of the Commission, currently von der Leyen, plays a crucial role in shaping EU decisions, functioning in a capacity similar to that of a government leader within the Union.
President Von der Leyen reveals nominations of new European Commission
President Von der Leyen reveals nominations of new European Commission
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a non-binding resolution on Wednesday demanding an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory within the next 12 months by an overwhelming margin.
The resolution was adopted with 124 votes in favor, 14 against and 43 abstentions, during the UNGA's 10th emergency special session considering Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The resolution demanding that Israel comply with all its legal obligations under international law, including advisory opinions by the International Court of Justice, was introduced by the State of Palestine on Tuesday and was co-sponsored by more than two dozen nations.
By the newly adopted resolution, the UNGA "demands that Israel brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which constitutes a wrongful act of a continuing character entailing its international responsibility and do so no later than 12 months from the adoption of the present resolution."
The UNGA also demands that Israel comply without delay with all its legal obligations under international law, including as stipulated by the International Court of Justice.
In remarks before the vote, Mohamed Issa Abushahab, the permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, said the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza must be addressed through unimpeded access to those in need, a ceasefire deal and the full implementation of all related Security Council resolutions.
A credible peace process must be relaunched to work towards a two-State solution to diffuse this conflict, he said, expressing support for the State of Palestine's full statehood and UN membership. "The time has come to end the suffering," he noted.
Introducing the draft resolution on Tuesday, Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, called for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He said the Palestinian people have been steadfast in the pursuit of their inalienable rights, just like all other citizens worldwide who seek self-determination.
"The Palestinians want to live, not survive -- they want to be safe in their homes, they want their children to go to school without fear. They want to be free in reality as they are in spirit," said Mansour.
UNGA calls for end to Israeli occupation in Palestine within a year
UNGA calls for end to Israeli occupation in Palestine within a year
