The Palestinians are once again seeking full membership in the United Nations, with their U.N. ambassador emphasizing that 140 countries already recognize the state of Palestine. The renewed bid comes amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, bringing the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli issue back into focus.
The Palestinian Authority initially applied for U.N. membership in 2011 but failed to secure enough support in the Security Council due to the threat of a U.S. veto. Subsequently, they elevated their status to a non-member observer state in 2012 through the General Assembly.
The current push for full membership has garnered support from various international groups, including the Arab Group, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Nonaligned Movement. The Palestinians are now urging the Security Council to consider their application, with a potential vote expected during the April meeting on the Middle East.
While some Security Council members, such as China and Russia, recognize Palestine as a state, the United States remains cautious. U.S. officials have stressed the importance of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians to achieve a lasting peace agreement, rather than seeking U.N. recognition.
The U.S. has also highlighted potential legal obstacles, including legislation that could cut off funding to the U.N. if full membership is granted to the Palestinians without a bilateral agreement. Despite these challenges, the Palestinian ambassador asserts their right to pursue full U.N. membership and calls for the process to unfold.
