The United Nations General Assembly is poised to make a pivotal decision as it prepares to vote on a resolution that would extend fresh “rights and privileges” to Palestine while urging the Security Council to reconsider its bid to join the United Nations as its 194th member.
The resolution, slated for a vote on Friday, aims to reshape Palestine’s status within the international community, a move staunchly opposed by the United States. Despite the US vetoing a council resolution on April 18 that sought full UN membership for Palestine, the General Assembly appears poised to pass this new resolution, empowered by its lack of veto power.
Under the current U.N. Charter, membership is contingent upon being deemed “peace-loving,” with the Security Council responsible for recommending admission to the General Assembly. Palestine has held the status of a non-member observer state since 2012, a move that Israel has contested while the Palestinians have long sought full UN membership.
The renewed effort for complete membership arises amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighted by the recent Gaza conflict, which has prompted global condemnation due to the humanitarian crisis and loss of life.
The draft resolution, initially proposed with broad support, underwent significant revisions to address concerns from key players including the United States, Russia, and China. Notably, the original draft aimed to confer upon Palestine “rights and privileges necessary to ensure its full and effective participation” in UN proceedings, without explicitly addressing voting rights. However, revisions were made to alleviate concerns about setting precedents for other potential U.N. members, with specific worries raised about Kosovo and Taiwan.
Moreover, enduring U.S. laws require the cessation of financial support to U.N. agencies that confer full membership upon Palestine, introducing an additional dimension of complexity to the adoption of the resolution.
The final draft, in response to these concerns, refrains from equating Palestine with full member states and ensures that Palestine, in its observer state capacity, does not possess voting rights in the General Assembly or the ability to nominate candidates to U.N. organs. However, it does grant Palestine the right to speak on all issues, propose agenda items, participate in debates, and hold positions in assembly committees, as well as participate in U.N. and international conferences.
This resolution follows Palestine’s initial bid for U.N. membership in 2011, which failed to garner sufficient support in the Security Council but ultimately led to an upgrade in status to a non-member observer state following a General Assembly vote. This upgrade enabled Palestine to join various international organizations, including the International Criminal Court.
In the most recent Security Council vote on April 18, support for Palestine’s full U.N. membership increased significantly, with 12 members voting in favor, two abstaining, and only the United States voting against and exercising its veto power.
As the General Assembly prepares for the upcoming vote, all eyes are on the outcome, which could potentially reshape Palestine’s position within the international community and reignite discussions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
