International
US veto on Palestinian UN membership draws international criticism
Global condemnation follows as US vetoes UN resolution for full Palestinian membership. Russian and Chinese ambassadors criticize US actions, while Palestine vows to persist in its quest for statehood despite setbacks.
The United States cast a veto in the Security Council, blocking a resolution recommending that the observer State of Palestine be granted full membership in the United Nations.
This move marks a significant setback for Palestinian aspirations for statehood recognition within the international community.
Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine for the UN, initiated the request for renewed consideration of Palestine’s membership application in a letter addressed to the Secretary-General on 2 April.
To attain full membership in the United Nations, an application must first secure approval from the Security Council, with backing from at least nine out of its 15 members and no veto from any of the five permanent members.
Following Security Council approval, the application must then gain the support of at least two-thirds of the 193-member General Assembly.
Despite garnering majority support within the Security Council, the Palestinian bid for full UN membership was stymied by the United States exercising its veto power.
In the vote among the 15-member Security Council, 12 members voted in favour of the resolution, with the US casting the lone opposing vote, while the UK and Switzerland abstained.
United States vetoes Security Council resolution recommending observer State of Palestine be granted full United Nations membership
Result of the vote:
IN FAVOR: 12
AGAINST: 1
ABSTAIN: 2 pic.twitter.com/lvxKeEtThZ— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) April 18, 2024
Deputy US Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, restated the US’s commitment to a two-state solution while clarifying the decision to veto the resolution.
He highlighted the importance of necessary reforms within the Palestinian Authority to establish readiness for statehood and expressed concern over the influence of Hamas in Gaza, a crucial aspect of the envisioned Palestinian state.
Wood elaborated that these factors influenced the US’s decision to cast a “no” vote.
He underscored the necessity of direct negotiations between the involved parties as the pathway to achieving Palestinian statehood.
“The United States continues to strongly support a two-state solution. This vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood, but instead is an acknowledgment that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties.”
Global criticism of US veto on Palestinian UN membership bid
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia condemned the US veto, marking it as the fifth instance during this period, alleging a disregard for Palestinian rights and favouritism towards Israel.
He emphasized the global community’s overwhelming support for Palestine’s full UN membership and portrayed the veto as a futile attempt to thwart Palestine’s path to statehood.
Echoing Nebenzia’s sentiments, Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong stressed the urgent necessity of Palestine’s full membership, citing ongoing developments such as settlement expansion.
Fu reiterated that Palestinian statehood is an undeniable right crucial for a two-state solution and affirmed China’s steadfast support for Palestinian independence and peace.
“The wheels of history are rolling forward, and Palestine and Israel will one day live in peace, side by side,” Fu said
The Palestinian presidency swiftly denounced the US veto, labeling it as “unfair, unethical, and unjustified.”
Similarly, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the Security Council’s failure to facilitate full Palestinian membership.
Meanwhile, Hamas issued a strong condemnation of America’s stance, underscoring the organization’s displeasure with the US’s decision.
On the other hand, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, commended the US decision, denouncing the resolution as a “shameful proposal” and contending that it effectively rewarded terrorism.
The proposal to recognize a Palestinian state, more than 6 months after the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and after the sexual crimes and other atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists was a reward for terrorism.
I commend the United States for vetoing this…
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) April 18, 2024
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the urgent need for lasting peace in the region, reiterating the importance of a two-state solution.
He emphasized the collective responsibility of the international community to support efforts toward peace and stability between Israel and Palestine.
Recent escalations in the Middle East make it even more important to find lasting peace between Israel & Palestine.
The ultimate goal remains a two-state solution.
The international community has a responsibility & a moral obligation to help make this happen. pic.twitter.com/GmV3QuhMzp— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 18, 2024
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep regret” over the UN Security Council’s failure to pass the resolution and stated that endorsing Palestine’s bid for full UN membership was crucial and “an inherent right of the Palestinian people.”
It criticized the blockage of Palestine’s full UN membership as “not consistent with the legal and historical responsibility” of the international community, which should facilitate a “final and just solution to the Palestinian issue.”
Qatar which also expressed “deep regret” over the veto, lamented the “failure” of the UNSC to adopt the resolution, describing it as “a sad day for justice and a setback for efforts to bring peace to the region,” and highlighted the council’s “inability to carry out its responsibilities and role within the framework of maintaining international peace and security, especially in light of the brutal war on the Gaza Strip.”
Statement | Qatar Expresses Deep Regret at Security Council’s Failure to Adopt Draft Resolution Accepting Palestine’s Full Membership to UN#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/0bD8UImawg
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) April 19, 2024
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented: “While everyone is on the side of Palestine, unfortunately, America puts forward their stance again by standing by the side of Israel.” “We didn’t expect anything different anyway.”
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan expressed disappointment over the UN vote on Palestine, stating, “The exercise of a veto on this crucial matter has called into question the genuine desire on the part of the council members… to realize the inalienable rights of the Palestinians, including their right to self-determination from the decades of Israel’s illegal and belligerent occupation of the Palestinian Territory of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem since 1967.”
Indonesia’s foreign ministry voiced deep regret at another failure by the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution on the full UN membership of the State of Palestine due to a veto by one of its permanent members. “This veto once again betrayed the shared aspiration to build lasting peace in the Middle East,” the ministry said, reaffirming Indonesia’s ongoing support for Palestine’s full UN membership.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, expressed his disappointment at the outcome of a United Nations vote on Palestine’s membership. Speaking on X, formerly known as Twitter, Martin stated that it is “past time” for Palestine to take its “rightful place amongst the nations of the world” and confirmed Ireland’s full support for any resolution that would enable Palestine’s bid for UN membership to succeed.
Disappointed at outcome of UN Security Council vote on Palestinian UN membership.
It is past time for Palestine to take its rightful place amongst the nations of the world. 🇮🇪 fully supports UN membership and will vote in favour of any UNGA resolution to that end.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) April 18, 2024
Palestine vows to press on despite UN veto
Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, denounced the veto as a betrayal of Palestinian rights and a hindrance to peace efforts.
He underscored the historic significance of the moment and urged Council members to uphold justice and freedom.
Mansour expressed gratitude to nations that supported Palestine’s bid for UN membership and vowed to persevere despite the setback.
He reaffirmed Palestine’s determination to achieve statehood, emphasizing its inevitability and the unwavering resolve of the Palestinian people.
“We will not stop in our effort. The State of Palestine is inevitable. It is real. Perhaps they see it as far away, but we see it as near, and we are the faithful.”
Palestine’s bid for full UN membership coincides with a period of heightened tensions following a deadly Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The escalation began after a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on 7 October. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with both Palestinian and Israeli lives lost.
The attack resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of more than 240 hostages. Israel responded with a military assault, which, according to Gaza authorities, claimed the lives of nearly 34,000 people.
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The stakes are very high if Palestine is granted a state of Israel.
Look at how the 100 km Gaza strip has been used to build terrorists tunnels and militarized hospitals. Scary!!!
Isnt it good to made Palestine a legitimate country .
What country is Palestine today?
country of Israel
Historical Palestine is made up of the current Palestinian territories of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank—referred to as the State of Palestine—and the country of Israel. Both of these territories were captured by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967. In these areas combined, there are around 7 million Palestinians.
Very slim .
If you are making “great” money here, why would you desperately want to share? perhaps the local authorities should look into it. Pray hard its not a scam
Hope Gutzy can filter out those who “claim ” they are making “great money” here. Thank you Gutzy
𝐈 𝐀𝐦 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 $𝟖𝟏,𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐬𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟑 𝐭𝐨 𝟒 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲.𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫, 𝐈𝐭’𝐬’ 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐦 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬
𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬…. 𝐖𝐰𝐰.𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝟏.𝐂𝐨𝐦
Appeasement to peace was what brought World War 2 on in Europe. Politicians and snowflakes only clamor for an unsustainable/unrealistic short-term outcome to justify their rhetoric without thinking through the subsequent consequences. More civilian deaths continue from a impractical outcome, then blame who?
Any LASTING solution (other than the current Hitlerian “final solution” being executed by Israel on the Gazans) to the Israel/Palestine problem will result in/require the creation of a UN recognised Palestinian state. The previous status quo where the Palestinians are left in a state of limbo and oppressed by Israel in what has been described as the world’s largest prison for the past 70 years is not a state of affairs that should be allowed to continue. The US in vetoing Palestinian statehood APPEARS to not know what it is doing but actually is merely pandering to Israeli demands and… Read more »
Actually give them UN membership also doesn’t solve the problems – who is the “them” in UN representation then? Hamas certainly wants to be the one and don’t recognize PA, PA is too weak to control Gaza with Hamas still there, Hezbollah may proxy’d to Syria and fight for “right” to be the representative. Then PIJ – which is ISIS – UN wants an ISIS affiliated group as UN member??? At least 4 factions will just fight among themselves (if not already?). UN is just a wayang show, will con members to pump in aid to whoever represents the “Palestinians”.
, …… odd reaction given that each member state votes as they see fit, simple as. Whatever their preferences or prejudices may be, … it is their vote, and that is it. So, was the Oct 7th “incursion”, … a prelude to seeking full UN membership ?!!! An interesting, unorthodox and a most direct approach indeed. Russia and CommChina were loudly disapproving of course, … and wouldn’t it be interesting if Ukraine and Taiwan was on the “agenda” !!! Just wondering as to when the likes of Al~Qaeda, Hezbollah, Asbat Al~Ansar or even Boko Haram commence their “applications” for full… Read more »
UNRWA is a devil for so long.
UN ? ? tsk ! tsk ! tsk!
Better to join the NAZI, it has more integrity.
Tell me why you anchor/monolith man Jamus Lim living in Ang mo kio dun serve his resident there and challenge the lao Lee … Why come and lord over sengkang residents?!?
Why sengkang no capable ppl?!?
Like the Lee Wong singularity are both on both isles of the 2 states while lim low are park at state 2. No?!? Whole day deciding where the women should be state 1 celebrities or state 2 pawn stars. No?!? Sorry I dun have confidence in Chinese leaderships who always put themselves as overlords and go ard telling ppl what they can do, who they can marry etc …
Why terry dun publish again?!?
Talk so much … Isn’t the Lim singularity park at the Opposite side doing the same like Hamas … The Overlords of the Chinese at the other sides. No?!? Then why need to fight for nuclear code oso .. To overlord with right to go killing. No?!?
Dear Palestinians:
1) Why hospitals are militarized?
2) Why use Gaza to build tunnels and hospitals for terrorists?
3) Hamas terrorists have no rights to bargain
4) Why never condemn Hamas
5) Why ask for food aid from U.S and Israel if you keep calling Israel genocide?
7) Who started it all?
8) Why Arab countries are not accepting Palestinians?
9) Why Hamas are not releasing hostages.
10)) the list goes on…
Palestine is not a country, not a state nor a nation. No air tickets to Palestine. No airports to Palestine
Palestine was under the rule of PLO terrorist organization. Granting them a member will
be a very risky decision as been proven they use Gaza to build tunnels for Hamas terrorists.
Dont forget 90% of Palestinians supported Hamas terrorists.
Perhaps grant Palestine a village status and monitor them again.
Once again the US is a block for peace in the Middle East. Selling weapons against saving lives, the weapons win because of the billions these companies make. The American citizens can force their govt. to change their stance. Hopefully it happens. In the meantime, the Zionists will continue with their genocide while the world leaders do nothing but lip service.