In a significant development at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a resolution advocating for the reconsideration of Palestinian membership to the UN was passed on Friday. The resolution, supported by 143 votes in favor, nine against, and 25 abstentions, calls upon the UN Security Council to reassess the matter positively.
The resolution emphasizes the eligibility of the Palestinian Authority for UN membership, asserting that “the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations.”
Ahead of the UNGA session, the US Mission to the UN expressed its stance, indicating its intention to veto the membership application if forwarded to the Security Council, foreseeing a repeat of the outcome witnessed in April.
Citing concerns over the Palestinian Authority’s failure to meet the criteria for UN membership, the US Mission reiterated its stance that the resolution does not address previously raised issues.
The recent move comes after the Palestinian Authority revived its membership request in April, only to face a US veto in the Security Council. The voting saw 12 members in favor and one against, with the US employing its veto power. Israel supported the US action, denouncing the Palestinian bid as “shameful,” while the Palestinian Authority condemned the veto as “unfair, immoral, and unjustified.”
The historical context reveals the Palestinian Authority’s ongoing quest for recognition. In September 2011, it fell short of achieving UN recognition as an independent member state. However, a year later, the UN upgraded its status from “non-member observer entity” to “non-member observer state,” akin to the Vatican’s status.
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