The United States blocks full Palestinian membership in the UN

They used their veto power. On Thursday April 18, the United States put an end to the Palestinians’ dream of full membership in the UN. Unsurprisingly, they vetoed in the Security Council a demand castigated by their Israeli ally, in the midst of the war in Gaza. For several weeks, the Palestinians, who since 2012 have had the lower status of “non-member observer state”, as well as the Arab countries implored the Council to accept that a “Palestinian State” already recognized by the majority of capitals takes its place “legitimate” within the United Nations.

This decision was immediately denounced by the Palestinian Authority. “This aggressive US policy towards Palestine, its people and their legitimate rights represents a blatant assault on international law and an encouragement to the continuation of the genocidal war against our people (…) which further pushes the region to the brink of collapse. chasm”said the office of its president, Mahmoud Abbas, in a statement.

The American position unchanged since 2011

The draft resolution presented by Algeria which recommended Palestinian membership received 12 votes for, 1 against and 2 abstentions (United Kingdom and Switzerland). The admission of a State to the UN must receive a positive recommendation from the Council, i.e. at least 9 votes out of 15 in favor, without veto from a permanent member, then be approved by the General Assembly, by a majority of votes. two-thirds.

The United States has continued to repeat in recent weeks that its position “did not change” since 2011, when the request for membership presented by the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas was cut short in the face of American opposition, before even reaching the Council stage.