Palestine relaunches bid for full membership at UN

‘U.N. creates two states in Palestine in 1947, it is again the U.N.’s responsibility to complete that process by admitting Palestine as a state,’ Palestine’s U.N. Envoy sends a letter to the U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

Palestine officially restarted their pursuit for full membership as a state in the United Nations on April 2. 

Having held observer status since 2012, the Palestinians have long sought full membership, which would signify global recognition of Palestinian statehood.

In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday, U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour requested a reconsideration of a 2011 application “upon instructions of the Palestinian leadership.”

The letter has been sent to the Security Council, with the Palestinians requesting a review this month.

Mansour has emphasized in recent months that with Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, achieving U.N. membership is a top priority for Palestinians.

140 member states recognize state of Palestine

“The international community decided to create two states in Palestine back in 1947.”

“It is the responsibility of the international community, alongside the Palestinian people, to complete that process by admitting the state of Palestine to membership.”

Malta, holding the rotating Security Council presidency, confirmed the receipt and circulation of Mansour’s letter among council members. Discussions will take place “on a way forward.”

The League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the Non-Aligned Movement have also supported the Palestinian bid.

In the letter to Guterres on Tuesday, these organizations backed the Palestinians’ effort.

“We wish to bring to your attention that, as of this date, 140 Member States have recognized the state of Palestine,” stated the joint letter, which included a list of these countries.

No vetoes are necessary for membership

The 2011 application, initiated by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, never reached the Security Council for a vote.

In November 2012, the General Assembly voted to grant the Palestinians observer status.

For a U.N. member state request to move forward, it must first be recommended by the Security Council and then approved by a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly.

Observers suggest the Palestinian push for membership may face hurdles reaching the assembly, as the United States, Israel’s key ally, could use its veto power in the Security Council to block the recommendation.

To secure the council’s approval, the Palestinians would need nine votes from the 15 members, with no veto from the five permanent members: Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States.

Source: Newsroom

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