The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on Sunday (April 18th) on the issue of Palestine’s application to become a full-fledged member of the United Nations. It has been disclosed that the United States will cast a veto, thereby blocking the effective recognition of Palestine as a member state by this global institution.
According to a U.S. official who spoke to Reuters, “The United States continues to believe that the fastest way to achieve statehood for the Palestinian people is through direct negotiations between Israel and Palestinian authorities with the support of the United States and other partners.”
The Security Council, comprised of 15 members, will vote on a draft resolution proposing that the 193-member United Nations General Assembly “accept Palestine as a UN member state.”
A Security Council resolution requires at least nine affirmative votes and no veto from any of the five permanent members (the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China) to pass. Diplomats say this measure may receive support from as many as 13 Security Council members, which would force the U.S. to exercise its veto power.
“We have consistently made it clear that actions taken in New York (at the UN), even with the best of intentions, will not bring about statehood for the Palestinian people,” stated a U.S. official.
Currently, Palestine is a non-member observer state. However, the application for full UN membership requires approval from the Security Council followed by at least a two-thirds majority vote in the General Assembly.
Palestine’s bid for full UN membership comes at a time when the conflict in the region continues.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, stated that Palestine does not meet the criteria to become a full-fledged UN member state. He highlighted that the criteria include a permanent population, defined territory, a government, and the capacity to establish relations with other states.
“Who does the Security Council ‘recognize’ and grant formal membership to? Hamas in Gaza? The Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Nablus?” Erdan questioned the Security Council.
He argued that granting Palestine full UN membership “will not have any positive impact on any party, will only cause damage in the coming years, and harm any prospects for future dialogue.”
Responsibility Editor: Lin Yan#