Algeria's efforts drove Palestine's UN membership talks to UNSC

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
9 Apr 2024 15:35
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Algeria's persistent advocacy for Palestinian UN membership signals a renewed push for international recognition amid ongoing discussions at the United Nations Security Council.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune addresses a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 16, 2023. (RIA Novosti via AP)

The 15 members of the United Nations Security Council held closed consultations yesterday, followed by an open session to discuss Palestine's request, which was referred by the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council on April 3rd, to join the United Nations.

Algeria has long held a heavy responsibility by amplifying the voice of the Palestinian people during discussions regarding Palestine's full membership in the United Nations.

For years, Algeria has been striving to garner international support for Palestine to obtain permanent membership in the United Nations.

During the Arab League Summit on November 1st and 2nd, 2022, Algeria managed to redirect the discourse and focus on the Palestinian issue despite a wave of normalization by some of its members with "Israel".

In his speech at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly held in September, Tebboune reiterated his call for an extraordinary General Assembly session to grant Palestine full membership in the United Nations.

'Algeria tirelessly striving to establish independent Palestinian state'

Less than 6 months later, Tebboune reaffirmed his conviction of the necessity for the State of Palestine to obtain full membership in the United Nations. In this context, Tebboune said in an interview with national media representatives, "Algeria has been tirelessly striving for 4 years to establish an independent Palestinian state."

He added, "We have gathered the Palestinian diaspora, and the role of the Arab League has been activated. Today, there is genuine hope for Palestine to obtain full membership in the United Nations," confirming that some European countries have already been demanding the establishment of a Palestinian state and expressing their readiness to recognize the Palestinian state.

The Algerian President pointed out that "the battle Algeria is currently engaged in indicates that the time has come for Palestine to obtain full membership in the United Nations, even if it is under occupation," explaining that "Palestine will become a member of the United Nations, and we will not leave the battlefield until this goal is achieved."

Tebboune emphasized that "this is Algeria's principle regardless of what others say. Thanks to our credibility, Palestine will obtain full membership status after becoming an observer member."

Palestine's UN membership application referred for deliberation

Palestine's bid to become a full member of the United Nations was unanimously forwarded to the Committee on the Admission of New Members during a UN Security Council meeting on Monday.

UN Security Council President and Malta’s Permanent Representative Vanessa Frazier stated, “Unless I hear a proposal to the contrary, I shall refer to the committee of admissions of new members the request that renewed consideration be given to the application of the observer state of Palestine during the month of April 2024. As I hear no objection, it is so decided."

The council will conduct its first meeting on the subject later in the day. Last week the Palestinian Authority demanded the UNSC vote this month to grant it full membership to the world body, the Palestinian envoy at the UN told Reuters.

However, this move, just like others, can be blocked by "Israel's" sponsor, the United States.

UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that the approval of Palestine's application for full membership in the United Nations needs to be fully decided by UN members.

“This proces,s as well as the judgment on the validity of the membership is strictly in the hands of the member states,” Dujarric said in a briefing.