UNGA overwhelmingly votes to grant Palestine full membership
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Palestine will now be considered a full member of the UNGA, but a UNSC vote on the matter is necessary for complete international recognition.
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The results of today's UNGA vote on Palestine's membership to the agency, May 10, 2023
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution awarding Palestine full-membership status, within the agency itself, on Friday.
Although the vote is considered to be symbolic, it is a necessary step for the full recognition of Palestine as a member state in all UN agencies. Such a decision would need to be passed through the UN Security Council (UNSC).
The draft resolution was originally introduced by the United Arab Emirates, following a UNSC vote on April 18 that blocked a similar proposal.
"The State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations in accordance with article 4 of the Charter and should therefore be admitted," the draft read.
It also called on the Security Council to "reconsider the matter favorably."
On Friday, the proposal garnered the support of 143 member states, while 25 abstained and another nine voted against the text. However, the proposal successfully passed the two-thirds yes-vote requirement.
In detail, the decision will allow Palestine to submit proposals and amendments directly to the UNGA, without having to go through another member state, as it had previously done. It is worth noting that the text explicitly rules out letting Palestine sit on the UNSC and vote in the GA, two of the most important rights that a member of the United Nations can have.
"When you build a building, you build it one brick at a time. If some think it's symbolic, for us it's important as we are moving forward towards our natural and legal right to be a full member of the UN," Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour told reporters a day before the vote was scheduled to take place.
US continues to hurdle Palestinian statehood
The United States was among the few countries to vote against the resolution for the expansion of Palestine's rights at the UNGA.
US mission to the United Nations spokesperson Nate Evans revealed the US' plan ahead of the vote on Friday.
In a statement, Evans said President Joe Biden's perspective on achieving peace in the region was through establishing the so-called two-state solution, the assurance of "Israel's" security, and "equality" between Palestinians and Israeli settlers in terms of freedom and dignity.
Commenting on the resolution, Evans stated "It remains the United States' view that unilateral measures at the United Nations and on the ground will not advance this goal. The General Assembly resolution being debated today is no exception and so the United States will be voting 'no' and encourages other member states to do the same."
The US further revealed that it would also vote, once again, against Palestine's full membership bid at the United Nations.
Read more: US vetoes bid for Palestine's full membership status at UNSC
Abbas: Palestine will continue to work on a UNSC approval
The head of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud Abbas, said that the passing of the proposal shows that the world supports Palestine and rejects its occupation.
"This overwhelming vote in favor of Palestine confirms that the world stands with the freedom and rights of the Palestinian people and rejects the occupation," Abbas stated.
"In light of this vote, the State of Palestine will continue its endeavor to obtain full membership in the United Nations via a decision of the Security Council," he added.
On the other hand, the Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gildan Erdan, shredded a copy of the UN charter with a small machine that he brought with him to the podium of the UNGA.
Erdan expressed his opposition to voting on promoting the rights of the Palestinian state.
#WATCH | The Israeli ambassador to the #UN tears up the United Nations Charter from the General Assembly podium.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 10, 2024
The UN General Assembly had approved a decision to award #Palestine full membership of the international agency. pic.twitter.com/nfzeTJjQky
Read more: EU states mull jointly recognizing state of Palestine on May 21: RTÉ
