Title: UN Committee Unable to Approve Palestinian Application for Full Membership

A report reviewed by a media outlet regarding a committee under the UN Security Council that is examining the Palestinian Authority's request for full membership in the United Nations stated that the committee "was unable to provide a unanimous recommendation" on whether the application meets the criteria. Diplomats indicated that the Palestinian Authority is still expected to urge the 15-member Security Council to vote—possibly as soon as this week—on a draft resolution recommending that it becomes a full member of the international organization. Gaining membership would represent a formal recognition of the Palestinian state. The Palestinians currently have non-member observer state status, following the recognition of Palestine by the UN General Assembly, comprised of 193 members, in 2012. However, obtaining full membership in the United Nations requires Security Council approval, where the United States, an ally of Israel, could potentially block it, followed by the support of at least two-thirds of the General Assembly.