Palestine, supporters in renewed push for full UN membership
The State of Palestine has written to UN Chief Antonio Guterres requesting renewed consideration of its application for full UN membership. The Arab Group, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Non-aligned Movement, representing dozens of UN member states, have also sent a letter in support of Palestine’s admission.
As we reported earlier, Palestine’s UN envoy Riyad Mansour said the aim was for the UN Security Council (UNSC) to make a decision at an April 18 ministerial meeting on the Middle East.
He said that although a vote had yet to be scheduled, a 2011 Palestinian application for full membership was still pending because the 15-member council never made a formal decision.
Palestine holds observer status at the UN and its application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the UNSC – where the US can cast a veto – and then at least two-thirds of the 193-member UN General Assembly.
Today, the State of Palestine, and upon instructions of the Palestinian leadership, sent a letter the Secretary General requesting renewed consideration to Membership application @pmofa @antonioguterres #Palestine @UN pic.twitter.com/9plDMrhKro
— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) April 2, 2024
Does Palestine have the numbers for its full UN membership bid?
Supporters of Palestine’s bid for full UN membership have written a letter to the current presidents of the UN Security Council (UNSC), the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and UN Chief Antonio Guterres.
“We wish to bring to your attention that, as of this date, 140 Member States have recognised the state of Palestine,” signatories to the letter said.
The list of 140 countries shows that Palestine has the support of 72 percent of UN members, comfortably more than the two-thirds of the 193-member UNGA needed.
However, the decision will only go to a vote in the UNGA if it is first approved by the 15-member UNSC where the five permanent members, including the United States, have veto power.
Belgian FM says country open to Palestinian statehood
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib says the country will consider recognising Palestinian statehood “when the moment comes”.
Speaking at a NATO summit, Lahbib also expressed concern about the international response to the Gaza war, saying the UN Security Council Resolution calling for an “immediate ceasefire” last month has been shown to be toothless.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the resolution “must be implemented without delay”.
