Palestine’s UN Membership Decision and Its Consequences

UN Membership Decision for Palestine

The resolution regarding Palestine’s membership in the United Nations (UN) was voted on today at the UN General Assembly and was accepted with 143 ‘yes’ votes against 9 ‘no’ votes. The resolution stated that Palestine is ‘eligible’ for membership.

Acceptance of the Resolution

The United Nations General Assembly convened today for Palestine. The resolution including Palestine’s membership at the 193-member UN General Assembly in New York was accepted with 143 ‘yes’ votes against 9 ‘no’ votes. While the U.S. and Israel voted ‘no,’ 25 countries abstained. The resolution stated that Palestine is ‘eligible’ for membership. The accepted resolution grants additional rights and privileges to Palestine, currently only having observer status at the UN, including the right to sit among member states and support proposals. The Security Council was also called upon to ‘positively reconsider’ Palestine’s full membership request, which was rejected last month with a ‘no’ vote by the U.S.

Statements by the President of Palestine

‘The world is with the Palestinian people’
Following the vote at the UN General Assembly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that Palestine will continue to work towards full membership at the UN. Abbas said, ‘The acceptance of the decision shows that the world is with Palestine and against the occupation of Israel.’

Reaction from the U.S.
The U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, stated that ‘unilateral’ measures taken at the UN will not advance a two-state solution. Wood said, ‘Our vote does not reflect opposition to the Palestinian state. We have clearly stated our support for and efforts to advance it. This vote signifies the acceptance that a state can only be established through a process involving direct negotiations between the parties.’