The UN General Assembly expressed strong support for Palestine’s bid to become a full member of the United Nations, passing a resolution that recognises the state as qualified and urges the Security Council to ‘reconsider the matter favourably.’
The vote follows a recent US veto of Palestine’s full membership attempt in the Security Council in April.
In a vote involving the 193-member assembly, the resolution passed with 143 nations in favour, including New Zealand, while 25 abstained and 9, including the US and Israel, opposed the measure. Though the resolution does not confer full membership status, it acknowledges Palestine as qualified for it and recommends that the Security Council re-evaluate the application positively.
Palestine’s push for UN membership comes in the wake of escalating violence between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and ongoing settlement expansion by Israel in the West Bank. New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters highlighted the frustration felt by the international community over the cycle of conflict in the region.
‘New Zealand’s vote first and foremost reflects the frustration felt by the international community at the endless cycle of violence that continues to beset the region,’ Peters stated. He reiterated New Zealand’s support for a two-state solution and called for ‘direct negotiations’ to resolve the crisis, which now enters it’s seventh month.
The General Assembly resolution grants Palestine some additional privileges effective from September 2024, including a symbolic seat in the assembly hall. However, full membership would still require approval from the Security Council, where another US veto is expected.
Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood opposed the resolution, saying it was necessary for direct negotiations between the parties to achieve Palestinian statehood.
The UN has long advocated for two states existing side by side within recognised borders, while Palestinians seek statehood across territories captured by Israel in 1967.
Despite the General Assembly resolution, the US maintains that any unilateral actions would hinder progress towards peace.
No big deal, your owners in the US will and I believable have, vetoed it…maybe telling AUKUS to f*** off, might make more of an impression but well, no upsetting the boss, right………..?
“Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood opposed the resolution, saying it was necessary for direct negotiations between the parties to achieve Palestinian statehood.”
Yeah, thats really gonna happen with the Israeli leadership consistently saying they are opposed to it. The zionists want it all to be Israel,and hopefully without any of the pesky(in their minds) Palestinians.
“Despite the General Assembly resolution, the US maintains that any unilateral actions would hinder progress towards peace.”
Wouldn’t want to hinder that progress towards peace they’ve got going on right now.
Good. While the ongoing genocide continues to intensify, this position by NZ/Aotearoa is the only moral choice. Now, where is Egypt when you needed them? Camp David accord has been broken by naZions entering the corridor. That’s an act of war Egypt needs pull its pants up over; Send a few divisions to counter the Nazis….call their bluff.