The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution to ask the International Court of Justice located in The Hague for its advisory opinion on Israel's humanitarian obligations to the Palestinians as their occupier.

Earlier, Israel's parliament passed legislation banning the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, which is active in the Gaza Strip and elsewhere, from operating in the country. It is due to take effect in January.

The Norwegian-drafted resolution was adopted on Thursday with 137 votes in favor, including Japan, and 12 against, including the United States. Twenty-two countries abstained.

Advisory opinions of the ICJ are not legally binding.

At a news conference, Norway's deputy foreign minister Andreas Kravik said, "We are confident in our positions," and "Israel, under international law, has an obligation to provide assistance, to collaborate with" UN organizations and others, and let them help people who are suffering.

UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric also commented on the matter on Thursday. He said that should Israel not allow UNRWA to perform its work as mandated in occupied territories, it would be up to the Israeli authorities to provide educational and health services there.

Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon dismissed the resolution as "political theater."