US to vote against expansion of Palestine's rights at UNGA
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The United States will be voting against expanding Palestine's rights at the General Assembly and Palestine's full membership in the United Nations.
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 23, 2022, at the U.N. headquarters (AP)
The United States is to vote against a resolution for the expansion of Palestine's rights at the UN General Assembly.
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.
The US General Assembly's resolution would give Palestine the right to propose suggestions and amendments on its own behalf and that of groups of different nations. Palestine would also be able to propose procedural measures, such as raising points of order, and request voting on specific proposals.
Palestine set to propose UN membership draft for general assembly vote
The UN General Assembly vote for Palestine's full membership bid was scheduled for Friday, May 10.
Palestine's envoy will be putting forward the request, Reuters said, adding that the draft would recommend to the UN Security Council to reconsider "the matter favorably." If passed, Palestine would claim full privileges akin to an official member, including voting rights.
The United States vetoed a UNSC vote last month to award Palestine full membership status in the UN despite a majority backing the draft.
The Israeli occupation's ambassador to the UN objected to the assembly's resolution, warning that nothing would change the current status quo.
"If it is approved, I expect the United States to completely stop funding the U.N. and its institutions, in accordance with American law," Gilad Erdan said on Monday.
Washington lobbied several nations to vote against the initial proposal after it earlier clearly announced its opposition to the Palestinian authority attempting to get a full UN membership, conditioning that it would only recognize a Palestinian state that negotiates its statehood via "Israel", citing the occupation's security concerns.
