The Security Council rejected Palestine’s request for UN membership on Thursday, with the United States casting a veto.
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In a vote of 12 in favour to one against, with two abstentions, the Council did not adopt a draft resolution that would have recommended the General Assembly to hold a vote with the broader UN membership to allow Palestine to join as a full UN Member State.
The draft resolution is among the shortest in the Council’s history: “The Security Council, having examined the application of the State of Palestine for admission to the United Nations (S/2011/592), recommends to the General Assembly that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership in the United Nations.”
For a draft resolution to pass, the Council must have at least nine members in favour and none of its permanent members – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States – using their veto power.
Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, Palestine had submitted a request to the Secretary-General on 2 April, asking that a 2011 request to become a UN Member State be reconsidered.
In 2011, the Security Council considered the request but was not able to find unity in sending a recommendation to the General Assembly, which according to the UN Charter must hold a vote involving its 193 Member States.
Earlier this month, the Security Council sent the latest request to its Committee on the Admission of Member States, which met on 8 and 11 April to discuss the matter.
Palestine has been a Permanent Observer at the UN since 2012, before which it was an observer in the UN General Assembly.
Read our explainer to find out more about Palestine’s status at the UN here.
More to come…
UN Photo/Manuel Elías
A detailed view at the start of the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
Elliot is an award-winning journalist passionate about international affairs and humanitarian causes. Elliot has covered stories from conflict zones and areas devastated by disasters, highlighting critical global issues.
Why did the United States cast a veto on Palestine’s request for full UN membership?
Because the United States believes that granting Palestine full UN membership at this time would not be conducive to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in the region.
It’s disappointing that the US vetoed Palestine’s request for full UN membership. The international community should strive for inclusivity and fairness in granting recognition to nations seeking to join the UN.
It’s disappointing that the US chose to veto Palestine’s request for full UN membership. It’s important for all nations to have a voice in the international community.
It’s disappointing to see the US veto Palestine’s request for full UN membership. Palestine deserves to have a voice on the global stage and be recognized as a full UN Member State.
It is disappointing to see the US continue to veto Palestine’s bid for UN membership. It undermines the autonomy and self-determination of the Palestinian people. The international community should work towards a fair and just resolution for Palestine.
It’s disappointing that the US chose to cast a veto against Palestine’s bid for full UN membership. The Security Council’s decision does not reflect the will of the majority and hampers the efforts towards achieving peace and stability in the region.
Why did the United States cast a veto on Palestine’s request for UN membership?
It is likely that the United States cast a veto on Palestine’s request for UN membership due to its longstanding political stance in the Middle East and its strong support for Israel.
Can you specify the reasons behind the United States’ decision to cast a veto on Palestine’s bid for full UN membership?