The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday with a large majority in favor of Palestine's application for membership in the international organization, in a decision that carries symbolic significance due to the U.S. veto in the Security Council. The resolution, which states that "Palestinians should join the organization" while granting them additional rights as a non-member state, received support from 143 members, with 9 opposed and 25 abstaining from voting.
The General Assembly recommended that the Security Council reconsider the Palestinians' membership positively, stating that Palestinians are qualified to receive full membership in the organization. The project resolution proposed to grant Palestinians some additional rights and benefits starting from September 2024, such as a seat with member states in the General Assembly hall, but without the right to vote.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced that the General Assembly's decision to modify the status of Palestinians in the organization is "a reward for Hamas."
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed that Palestine will continue its efforts to obtain full membership in the United Nations, noting that "the decision will support Palestine's efforts in the Security Council for a re-vote on full membership."
During the session, the Palestinian representative to the UN called on "the General Assembly to stand for peace," pointing out that "Israel has pursued a policy of destruction and displacement in Gaza." Meanwhile, the UAE representative urged voting in favor of the resolution demanding full membership for Palestine, emphasizing that "voting for the resolution confirms that the international will has triumphed and rejects double standards."
The UAE representative stated that "the Arab group affirms the need to launch a negotiation process that achieves peace for Palestinians." The Russian representative viewed that "full membership for Palestine will strengthen its negotiating position."
In a previous session, the United States exercised its veto against a resolution presented by Algeria to grant Palestine full membership in the United Nations. The number of members who voted in favor of granting Palestine full membership was 12 states, while two states, Britain and Switzerland, abstained from voting, and the United States opposed the project.
