United Nations: The Palestinian bid for full UN membership faced a setback as members of the UN Security Council couldn’t agree on Thursday, signaling a likely move towards a formal council vote. The Palestinians, holding observer status since 2012, have been striving for full membership to attain recognition of Palestinian statehood. Any application for UN membership must pass through the Security Council, where the United States, an ally of Israel, holds veto power, before proceeding to the General Assembly for endorsement.
Following Israel’s actions in Gaza, Palestinians resurrected a 2011 UN membership application, leading to a formal review process by the Security Council. The council’s ad hoc committee, comprising member states, failed to achieve consensus during its closed-door meeting on Thursday, according to Maltese Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, who currently presides over the council.
Although two-thirds of the members expressed support for full membership, the committee operates on consensus, implying unanimity. Nevertheless, any Security Council member can now propose a resolution for a vote on the matter. Diplomatic sources suggest a potential vote on April 18, initiated by Algeria, representing Arab nations on the council.
Even if the required nine out of 15 votes are obtained, it’s anticipated that the United States will exercise its veto power. Washington contends that the United Nations is not the appropriate forum for addressing Palestinian statehood, advocating for an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians instead.
Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour emphasized the desire for recognition among the global community, stating, “All we ask for is to take our rightful place among the community of nations.”
The recent escalation in Gaza commenced after an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, resulting in casualties according to Israeli figures. Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza reportedly led to significant casualties, primarily among women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory.
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