Despite the support of 12 countries in UNSC, the proposal was rejected; Israel said- this was a shameful proposal.
United States has vetoed the proposal to grant full membership to Palestine in the United Nations (UN). Algeria had presented this proposal in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), on which voting took place on Thursday. However, after America’s veto, Palestine could not become a permanent member of the UN.
To pass any resolution in the UNSC, the support of at least 9 members was required. In the 15-member Security Council, 12 votes were cast in favor of Palestine, while Britain and Switzerland abstained. It was believed that after the devastation in Gaza, United States would not veto the resolution, but United States remained firm on its stand and used the veto power.
This was Palestine’s second attempt to gain full membership in the UN. Earlier in 2011 also, voting was held in UNSC on granting membership to Palestine, but at that time also United States had vetoed the proposal.
United States Clarified on Veto
United States has given clarification on vetoing the proposal for permanent membership of Palestine. America’s representative in the UN, Robert Wood, has said that United States also wants a two-state solution, but the UN is not the place to give full membership.
The right way to give Palestine the status of a separate country is direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine. United States and other allied countries will help in this conversation. We want that there should be a solution through direct negotiations between both the parties.
Palestine Said- Will Not Accept Defeat
Israel has praised America’s use of veto power. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Kats said, “A shameful proposal rejected; terrorism should not be rewarded.”
Meanwhile, Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has condemned America’s veto. Abbas has called it wrong and immoral. Palestine’s ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, said, “Our morale will not weaken if the resolution is not passed. We will not give up and will continue to try to get Palestine membership.”
What is Veto…
There are five permanent members in UNSC. These include America, Russia, Britain, France and China. Only they have got veto power. The Security Council cannot pass or implement any resolution without the consent of these five countries. If even one of the 5 members vetoes the proposal, it is rejected.
Palestine is a Non-Member Country of UN
Palestine has been recognized by more than 140 countries of the world, but Palestine has still not become a full member of the United Nations. Whereas Israel got permanent membership of UN in 1947 itself. At present Palestine is a non-member country in the UN.
In 2012, Palestine was made a non-member country of the UN. These are those countries which can present their views in the UN, but cannot vote. Apart from Palestine, Vatican City is also a non-member country.
