UN Security Council Fails to Reach Consensus on Palestinian Bid
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Members of the UN Security Council were unable to agree on the Palestinian bid for full membership in the United Nations, despite a majority of council members supporting the move.
Maltese Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, who currently presides over the council, stated that “there was no consensus” during Thursday’s closed-door meeting.
The United States, a steadfast opponent of Palestinian statehood, reiterated its stance, emphasizing that the United Nations is not the appropriate forum for determining such matters. According to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, the US believes statehood should result from direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
Last week, Palestinians revived their 2011 application for full UN membership, sparking a formal review process by the Security Council’s ad hoc committee, which convened on Thursday. Despite this, the Biden administration made clear its opposition to the renewed bid.
“We have always made clear that, while we support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state… that is something that should be done through direct negotiations through the parties — something we are pursuing at this time — and not at the United Nations,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said during a press briefing.
The US opposition carries significant weight, given its veto power in the Security Council. Palestine has held the status of a "non-member observer state” at the UN since 2012.
Following the Thursday meeting, a formal vote by the council is anticipated. Diplomatic sources suggested a vote could occur on April 18, at the behest of Algeria, representing Arab nations on the council. However, even if the bid garners the required nine of 15 votes, observers anticipate a US veto.
Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour reiterated his plea for recognition, stating, “All we ask for is to take our rightful place among the community of nations.”
The Israeli atrocities in Gaza have has garnered increased sympathy for the Palestinian cause and amplified international calls for recognition of the Palestinian statehood.
In related developments, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong defended her remarks indicating a potential recognition of Palestinian statehood, asserting it as the "only pathway to enduring peace in the region.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez echoed similar sentiments, declaring Spain’s readiness to recognize the Palestinian state. “The international community can’t help the Palestinian state if it doesn’t recognize its existence,” said Sanchez during a parliamentary debate. He added that recognizing Palestine is “what’s just, what’s demanded by the social majority” and is “in Europe’s geopolitical interest.”
