The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to grant new rights and privileges to Palestine and urged the Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s request to become the 194th member of the United Nations. The resolution was approved by a vote of 143-9 with 25 abstentions, with the United States and Israel voting against it. The vote highlighted global support for Palestine’s full membership in the UN and growing backing for the Palestinian cause.
While the resolution grants Palestine some new rights and privileges, it reiterates that Palestine remains a non-member observer state without full UN membership. The US has stated that it will block Palestinian membership until key issues are resolved through direct negotiations with Israel, including security and boundaries.
The renewed push for full Palestinian membership in the UN comes amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with concerns about the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians in the region. The resolution recommends that the Security Council reconsider Palestine’s request for membership favorably.
Following the vote, the Palestinian UN Ambassador emphasized the plight of Palestinians in Gaza and accused Israel of preparing to kill thousands for political reasons. On the other hand, Israel’s UN Ambassador strongly opposed the resolution, accusing UN member nations of rewarding modern-day Nazis with rights and privileges.
The final draft of the resolution addressed concerns by the US, Russia, and China, maintaining Palestinian rights while clarifying limitations on voting privileges. The resolution grants Palestine rights to participate in UN activities and speak on various issues but does not include the right to vote in the General Assembly. The resolution marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to secure full UN membership for Palestine.
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