Today: 11 July 2025
9 April 2024
2 mins read

UN panel considers Palestinian bid for full membership

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had initially submitted a UN membership application in 2011, though it wasn’t deliberated upon by the Security Council…reports Asian Lite News

The President of the United Nations Security Council, on Monday, forwarded an application by the Palestinian Authority seeking full membership of the UN to its membership committee for consideration. Vanessa Frazier, Malta’s Permanent Representative to the UN, disclosed that the 15-member committee is slated to deliberate on Palestine’s status and make a decision by the end of the month. Frazier emphasized the importance of adherence to the council’s procedural norms, highlighting that any council member can present a resolution for membership voting at any time.

The membership committee convened on Monday afternoon to initiate the evaluation process. Its task involves scrutinizing the application’s merits before determining whether to advance it to the Security Council for a vote. For approval, the application necessitates at least nine affirmative votes, devoid of any vetoes from the council’s five permanent members: the US, Russia, China, France, and the UK.

The urgency of granting full UN membership to the State of Palestine was underscored by the Arab group of nations at the UN, who articulated it as pivotal for advancing conflict resolution efforts in the region based on a two-state solution. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN and current President of the Arab Group, expressed hope for requisite support in this endeavor.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had initially submitted a UN membership application in 2011, though it wasn’t deliberated upon by the Security Council. However, the subsequent year, the General Assembly accorded the “State of Palestine” the status of a non-member observer state.

Despite the recent submission of a letter by the Palestinian Authority to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging reconsideration of the membership application, current US legislation poses a significant hurdle. Granting full UN recognition to a Palestinian state would necessitate the cessation of funding to the UN and its agencies by the US, in compliance with existing laws.

The discourse surrounding Palestine’s UN membership evoked strong reactions, with Israel’s UN Ambassador, Gilad Erdan, vehemently opposing it, labeling it as rewarding criminal acts. This sentiment was echoed by Russia’s Permanent Representative, Vasily Nebenzia, who questioned the credibility of objections from parties rejecting the two-state solution. Meanwhile, Palestine’s Permanent Observer at the UN, Riyad Mansour, reiterated the imperative of recognition and membership for ending the occupation, emphasizing the need for global solidarity to achieve peace.

ALSO READ-Haiti reaches deal to form transitional council

Previous Story

Haiti reaches deal to form transitional council

Next Story

SCI ready to distribute 130,000 Zakat al-Fitr Portions

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan, Turkey Cement Defence Ties

Turkey and Pakistan aim to enhance bilateral trade volume to USD $ 5billion, especially in defence, trade, energy, and infrastructure sectors….reports Asian Lite News Turkey and Pakistan have further solidified their longstanding,

US Issues Iran Travel Alert

The statement came amid the recent tensions between the US and Iran following the 12 days of escalating conflict between Iran and Israel…reports Asian Lite News The US Department of State announced

No Lifetime Visas, Says UAE

The UAE’s ICP has dismissed media claims of lifetime Golden Visas for select nationalities, calling them inaccurate…reports Asian Lite News The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel

Netanyahu hails Trump’s role in Middle East diplomacy with Nobel nomination gesture…reports Asian Lite News Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, handing
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UN Urges Immediate Action as Earth Swelters in Hottest Summer

Earth has sweltered through its hottest Northern Hemisphere summer ever

UN slams UK govt’s Illegal Migration Bill

The cessation of the stand-off between the unelected chamber and