The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution recognizing Palestine as qualified to become a full member of the United Nations, recommending the Security Council to “favorably reconsider the issue”. The resolution was proposed by the United Arab Emirates. Italy abstained along with several other countries including Albania, Bulgaria, Austria, Canada, and many others. The United States, Israel, and seven other countries voted against the resolution. The Palestinian National Authority expressed great satisfaction with the vote, with President Abu Mazen emphasizing that the international consensus demonstrated at the UN General Assembly in support of Palestine’s membership “restores the confidence” of the Palestinians in international legitimacy and protects the two-state solution.
On the other hand, the Israeli representative at the United Nations reacted negatively to the vote. Gilad Erdan tore up a copy of the United Nations Charter from the podium in the room. Using a mini-shredder, Erdan shredded the various pages of the Charter, stating, “You are tearing up the United Nations Charter with your own hands. Yes, yes, that’s what you’re doing. Destroying the Charter of the United Nations. Shame on you.” The American mission, justifying its no vote, clarified that the Palestinian Authority does not meet the criteria for UN membership and that the resolution does not address previous concerns raised about accession. The United States would like to see a Palestinian state born out of negotiations with Israel, with full approval from the Security Council being a necessary condition for any potential approval.
The vote was greeted with applause from the Palestinian National Authority, with President Abu Mazen asserting that the decision “enshrines the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to an independent, sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital.” The response from Israel and the United States reflects the ongoing tensions and disagreements in the region over the status of Palestine and the best path to a resolution. The division in the international community is evident in the varying voting patterns of different countries, with some supporting Palestine’s membership while others have reservations or voted against it.
In the aftermath of the vote, the focus now shifts to the Security Council, where the decision will be further deliberated. The United States, with its veto power, has the ability to influence the outcome of any potential resolution. The differing perspectives on the issue highlight the complexities and challenges of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides holding firm to their positions. The ongoing debate at the United Nations underscores the importance of international diplomacy and cooperation in addressing such complex and longstanding conflicts. Ultimately, the resolution recognizing Palestine as qualified for UN membership sets the stage for further discussions and negotiations on the path forward for the region.
