“US Vetoes UN Resolution for Full Membership of Palestine”
The United States has utilized its veto power in the UN Security Council (UNSC) to block a resolution that aimed to grant full membership to the state of Palestine within the United Nations. The resolution, which received widespread support, was brought forth during a session held in New York. Twelve countries voted in favor of the resolution, while two, namely Britain and Switzerland, abstained.
Following the veto, Robert Wood, the US deputy envoy to the UN, asserted that Washington maintains the belief that the path to Palestinian statehood lies solely through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. He emphasized that actions taken prematurely, even with good intentions, would not lead to the realization of statehood for the Palestinian people.
The expectation that the resolution would be blocked was widely held, given the US’s status as Israel’s staunchest ally and its possession of veto power within the Security Council.
The vote comes amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly following more than six months of Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, resulting in the loss of over 33,000 Palestinian lives and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the area.
Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, characterized the US veto as indicative of Washington’s “my way or the highway” approach towards Palestinians. He suggested that the US and Israel dictate the terms under which Palestine could be recognized as a sovereign state, sacrificing Palestinian freedom for their own interests.
Presently, Palestine holds non-member observer status at the UN. However, to attain full UN membership, an application must be approved by the Security Council and subsequently by at least two-thirds of the General Assembly.
Prior to the vote, Ziad Abu Amr, the UN special representative for the state of Palestine, appealed for support, expressing the Palestinian longing for self-determination and emphasizing their sacrifices in pursuit of independence.
In a rebuttal, Israeli ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, accused the Security Council of being politicized and denounced the resolution as a “prize to terrorists.” He questioned the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and criticized the UN for entertaining the resolution amidst escalating tensions in the region.
The Security Council’s failure to pass the resolution underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges facing diplomatic efforts towards a peaceful resolution.
editor
What a disgusting show of bias, the USA as usual at opposites in every way with world opinion, except the UK whose opinion is given to it like some “Edwardian Wife”, unusually Switzerland abstained, but the end result 12 to 3 still failed owing to the unfair and badly designed use of vetoes for the 5 permanent members which give a 3 to 2 advantage to western countries, all of which are pro Israel and anti Palestine, The US suggesting the admission being decided by Israel Palestine negotiation which is so unrealistic its almost laughable, it really makes a mockery of democracy. Meanwhile in the General Assembly out of 192 countries over 160 favour admitting Palestine to full membership, this should really be the body of the UN that makes membership decisions not the diminutive 15 member security council which is at the mercy of three Israel allies, not surprisingly the Palestinian observer left well before the venomous rhetoric from the aggression fuelled Israeli UN ambassador started spouting his normal propaganda filled with lies and deceit.