The United States has expressed its opposition to Palestine’s full membership in the UN during an upcoming vote in the Security Council. According to the US Department of State, direct negotiations with Israel are the best way to establish a Palestinian state. Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasized that premature actions, even with good intentions, would not succeed in creating a state for the Palestinian people.
Patel stressed that the quickest path to a Palestinian state is through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, supported by the US and other partners who share this goal. He mentioned that the Palestinian Authority has been asked to take necessary steps to prepare for statehood so that Gaza, currently under Hamas control, can be an integral part of the future state.
There has been disagreement among Admission Commission members regarding the proposal to submit it to the Security Council. Concerns were raised about whether the proposal meets the criteria for being considered a state. The resolution requires support from at least nine of the Council’s 15 members, with no permanent member voting against it.
After the Security Council vote, a second vote will be held in the General Assembly. A two-thirds majority of member states is needed for approval. The petition for Palestinian membership was first presented in 2011 and has been relaunched after a request by the Palestinian representative for a review of non-member observer status.
In conclusion, while there are concerns about Palestine’s eligibility for full UN membership, direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine remain critical in achieving a lasting peace agreement and establishing a sovereign Palestinian state.