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US veto on Palestinian UN membership draws international criticism

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US veto on Palestinian UN membership draws international criticism
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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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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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