NEW YORK: The United Nation General Assembly on Friday voted overwhelmingly in support of a Palestinian bid for full membership of the organization, a symbolic move due to the United States’ veto in the Security Council.
The resolution, which stated that the Palestinians should be admitted to the UN and grants them some additional rights as observers, received 143 votes in support, 9 against and 25 abstentions.
Earlier, the draft resolution was proposed by the UAE as the current chair of the Arab Group, emphasizes granting Palestine new rights and privileges within the UN. Palestine has held the status of a non-member observer state since 2012.
The final draft of the resolution underwent amendments to address concerns from key member states, including the US, Russia, and China. Despite revisions, the Biden administration expressed opposition, citing the need for Security Council approval before granting full General Assembly membership to Palestine.
On 18 April, the US vetoed a widely-backed council resolution that would have made Palestine a full member. During the vote, Britain and Switzerland abstained, while the other 12 council members voted in favour.
Robert Wood, US deputy ambassador to the UN, suggested American opposition to the resolution was based on a question of due process.
Unlike the Security Council, the General Assembly does not have veto powers, indicating that the resolution is likely to pass with a large majority. The Palestinian UN mission underscored the resolution’s significance, viewing it as a step toward a two-state solution and reaffirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, including a reported death toll of over 34,000 Palestinians, has sparked condemnation in various Security Council and UN sessions.
وزارة الخارجية والمغتربين: اجماع دولي على أحقية دولة #فلسطين بالعضوية الكاملة للأمم المتحدة 🇵🇸
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates: International Consensus on the Right of the State of #Palestine to Full Membership in the United Nation 🇵🇸 @UN @Palestine_UN… pic.twitter.com/KRxvdlvLR5
— State of Palestine – MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) May 10, 2024
Today, the General Assembly has spoken loudly and clearly, and adopted a resolution:
➡️determining that the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the UN in accordance with article 4 of the Charter and should be admitted in the @UN.
➡️recommending the Security… pic.twitter.com/yZlYezEqaT
— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) May 10, 2024
