Security Council to vote Thursday on Palestine’s UN membership

According to diplomatic sources, the United Nations Security Council will vote on Palestine’s application for full membership

In the midst of Israel’s military offensive against Gaza, the Palestinians have revived their application for membership of the United Nations, first made in 2011. However, the veto-wielding United States has consistently opposed this proposal.

According to U.N. protocol, the General Assembly can admit a new member state by a two-thirds majority, subject to the recommendation of the Security Council.

The Arab Group, representing regional interests, expressed its unequivocal support for the Palestinian application, emphasizing its importance in finding a just solution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with international law and U.N. resolutions.

Algeria, currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council, has drafted a resolution recommending the admission of the State of Palestine to U.N. membership.

The vote on Thursday coincides with a previously scheduled Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in Gaza, which is expected to be attended by ministers from several Arab countries.

The Palestinians have consistently advocated for full membership since they obtained observer status at the United Nations in 2012.

“We are seeking recognition. It is our natural and legal right,” Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour said in April.

US-Israel oppositions

The United States reiterated its opposition to full Palestinian membership and emphasized its support for the establishment of a state in the framework of negotiations with Israel. The U.S. pointed to domestic laws that mandate cuts in U.N. funding in the event of Palestinian membership without a bilateral agreement.

Underlining the importance of direct negotiations between the parties involved, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in April: “This issue should be resolved through direct negotiations between the parties rather than through the United Nations.”

In mid-April, Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Gilad Erdan strongly condemned the Palestinian membership bid, claiming that such considerations represented “a victory for genocidal terror.”

Erdan expressed concern that the Security Council was considering granting full membership status at the U.N. to those he described as “perpetrators and supporters of Oct. 7”.

Source: France 24