New York: The United States vetoed Palestine’s request for full membership in the United Nations. In the vote on the draft resolution presented by Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama at the UN Security Council meeting, 12 countries supported Palestine. Two countries abstained from the vote. But the American veto backfired on this move.
Palestine has moved for full UN membership amid Israeli expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank. Palestine currently has observer state status. To become a full UN member, Palestine needs two-thirds support from the Security Council and the General Assembly. The Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, administered self-government in the occupied West Bank. Hamas ousted the Palestinian Authority from power in Gaza.
Even before the meeting, the United States had made its anti-Palestinian position clear. Still, Palestinian representatives urged the council to go ahead with the vote.
US says veto is not opposition to Palestine
US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood explained that the reason for the veto was not opposition to the Palestinian state. Wood said that the problem can only be resolved through direct negotiations.
US mission representatives have previously stated that the US position will not fully support Palestinian membership until there is a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine.
Azerbaijan as a decisive step
Azerbaijan representative Amar Bendjama said in his speech seeking approval for the resolution that this is a crucial step towards ending the long-standing injustice for Palestine.
Russia and Ireland are disappointing
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, said that the US veto is a desperate step that prevents the inevitable progress of history. He said that Washington has been completely isolated by this. Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin said that the result of the UN Security Council vote was disappointing. Martin Xil noted that the time has come for Palestine to take its rightful place among the nations of the world.
Palestine as promising
Palestinian representative Ziad Abu Amr said that getting full membership will pave the way for peace. Abi Amr said that this resolution gives hope to Palestine. Palestine wants a state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, which Israel captured in 1967.
Don’t disrupt peace movements
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that the growing support for efforts to find a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian state is encouraging. Guterres said the failure of the two-state solution would threaten the peaceful lives of millions of people in the region.
Israel invaded Palestine
Israel’s UN Ambassador, Gilad Erdan, said Palestine has failed to meet the criteria for becoming a member of the UN. Palestine has not met the criteria of a permanent population, defined border area, government and the ability to establish relations with other countries. Erdan asked the Security Council to clarify whether it should recognise Hamas in Gaza or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Nablus. Israel said that granting full membership would pave the way for destruction.
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