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Article of the week Foreign Policy May 12, 2024

U.N. General Assembly Overwhelmingly Supports Palestinian Bid for Full Membership

Photo: AP

The Palestinian ambition for full membership in the United Nations received resounding backing from the assembly during a major meeting on Friday. In essence, the resolution recognised Palestine’s eligibility to become a full member of the UN and asked the Security Council to “reconsider the matter favourably.” The assembly’s decision comes in the wake of a U.S. veto last month in the U.N. Security Council, which had stymied Palestine’s aspirations for full membership. The veto underscored the deeply rooted divisions and the complex diplomatic landscape that surrounds the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The General Assembly’s vote does not immediately alter Palestine’s current observer status within the U.N. but represents a symbolic show of international support. The tally from the 193-member body highlighted a global survey of perspectives, with a vast majority endorsing the Palestinian bid. The bid for full U.N. membership is a critical aspect of the Palestinian leadership’s strategy to garner international recognition and support for statehood, independent of the long-stalled peace process with Israel. Full membership in the U.N. is seen by many Palestinians as a way to level the playing field in negotiations and to solidify international legitimacy for their statehood claims.

The implications of the General Assembly’s recommendation are both political and symbolic. While the Security Council is the only U.N. body that can grant full membership, the General Assembly’s support bolsters the Palestinian cause and puts additional pressure on the council to act. However, the United States, as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council with veto power, has historically opposed unilateral moves to recognize Palestinian statehood outside of a negotiated peace agreement with Israel.

The General Assembly’s backing showcases the broad international consensus around the issue of Palestinian statehood, but the path toward full U.N. membership remains fraught with challenges. The resolution’s support reflects a sentiment among the member states that the Palestinians have a right to self-determination and that their quest for statehood merits serious consideration.

The next steps following the General Assembly’s recommendation remain uncertain. The U.N. Security Council may face renewed calls to address the question, but the dynamics within the council and the positions of its permanent members have not fundamentally changed.

The Israeli government, which opposes the U.N. bid, argues that Palestinian statehood should come only as a result of direct negotiations that ensure Israel’s security concerns are addressed. Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities see the General Assembly’s support as a validation of their rights and a boost to their international standing.

The U.N. General Assembly’s overwhelming support for the Palestinian bid for full membership is a notable moment in the complex diplomatic ballet surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It reflects a global sentiment supportive of Palestinian aspirations, while also highlighting the enduring challenges that lie ahead on the path towards achieving a two-state solution and the realization of a Palestinian state.

By Cora Sulleyman

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