Security Council to vote on Palestine state UN membership

The United Nations Security Council will today vote on the Palestinians’ application to become a full member state, several diplomatic sources said.

The Palestinians earlier this month revived a membership application first made to the world body in 2011, though the vetowielding United States had repeatedly expressed opposition to the proposal.

The General Assembly can admit a new member state with a two-thirds majority vote, but only after the Security Council gives its recommendation.

Regional bloc the Arab Group issued a statement on Tuesday affirming its “unwavering support” for the Palestinians’ application.

“Membership in the UN is a crucial step in the right direction towards a just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions,” it said.

Algeria, a non-permanent Security Council member, had drafted t h e r e s o l u t i o n t h a t “r e c o mmends” to the General Assembly “the state of Palestine be admitted to membership of the UN”.

Today’s vote will coincide with a Security Council meeting scheduled several weeks ago to discuss the situation in Gaza, which ministers from several Arab countries were expected to attend.

The Palestinians, who have had observer status at the UN since 2012, had lobbied for years to gain full membership.

“We are seeking admission. That is our natural and legal right,” Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN said this month.

According to the Palestinian side, 137 of the 193 UN member states already recognise a Palestinian state, raising hope that their request would be supported in the General Assembly.

But the Palestinian push for UN membership faces a major hurdle, as the US, Israel’s closest ally, could use its veto power to block the Security Council recommendation.