The United Nations Security Council is set to convene on Thursday to vote on the Palestinians’ application to become a full UN member state, multiple diplomatic sources confirmed to AFP.
The Palestinian application, revived in early April amid Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, seeks full membership status in the UN, a move that has been met with opposition from the United States, a veto-wielding member of the Security Council.
While the General Assembly can admit a new member state with a two-thirds majority vote, the Security Council must first provide its recommendation. Algeria, a non-permanent member of the Security Council, has drafted a resolution recommending the admission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations.
The Arab Group, representing regional blocs, has expressed steadfast support for the Palestinians’ application, stating that UN membership is a crucial step toward resolving the Palestinian question in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
The upcoming vote coincides with a Security Council meeting scheduled to discuss the situation in Gaza, with several Arab ministers expected to attend.
The Palestinians, who have held observer status at the UN since 2012, have long campaigned for full membership. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, emphasized the Palestinians’ natural and legal right to seek admission.
Despite widespread recognition of a Palestinian state by 137 out of 193 UN member states, the US has reiterated its opposition to full Palestinian membership. The US argues that statehood should be achieved through negotiations with Israel, citing laws that mandate cuts to UN funding in the absence of a bilateral agreement.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, has vehemently opposed the Palestinian membership bid, labeling it a victory for “genocidal terror.” Israel has been engaged in an ongoing conflict with Hamas, resulting in casualties on both sides.