In a landmark decision, circumventing the US veto of full observership for Palestine, the UN General Assembly voted to upgrade Palestine's status but retained its position as an observer. It came amidst the backdrop of the recent Israeli incursion into Gaza and continuing efforts to broker a ceasefire.
The resolution had 143 votes in support, including from the influential nations India, France, China, Russia, and Japan. On the contrary, nine nations, including the US and Israel, voted against it, while 25 countries, including the UK, Canada, and several European members, abstained. It was in defiance of the US's lone veto of the Palestine bid for full observership in the Security Council last month.
Riyad Mansour, Palestine's Permanent Observer, said that voting in favor of the resolution was investing in peace, and it was the right thing to do. However, while Palestine will continue to be an observer state, the new upgraded position will get it several privileges, including the right to stand for elected offices in the Assembly, participation in discussions on all issues, and making proposals and introducing amendments.
However, the new upgraded observership does not give Palestine the right to vote or participate in other UN agencies as a member. Unlike full observership, the special status does not require the approval of the Security Council, thus avoiding a potential US veto.
The draft resolution, sponsored by Algeria, and co-sponsored by nations like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Maldives, also called upon the Council to reconsider the Palestine request for full observership, despite a US Deputy Permanent Representative warning that a veto was imminent.
The resolution was adopted after long consultation between diplomats and was a compromise way out against a US law which could have stopped its contributions to the UN if it granted Palestine full observership. If enforced, this law would hit hard on the UN as the US is the largest contributor to the UN.
Reactions from the Israel Permanent Representative condemned the UN for anti-Semitism and termed this act as symbolic disregard for the UN Charter. His sentiments were reinforced as he dramatically shredded a copy of the Charter at the podium.
The escalating violence in Gaza is what hastened the upgrading of Palestine's status when its full membership bid was not successful. The US was opposed but other allies like France, Australia, and Japan voted for the resolution while Britain, Germany, and Italy abstained.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has become a critical one due to the invasion by Israel and the subsequent restriction of food supplies, has received international concern. The UN officials have described this act as a soon-to-be-actualized famine, with more than 34,000 casualties, mostly women and children, due to the conflict.
The situation is escalating, and according to the UN General Assembly President, the situation has reached a red alert, and now it's high time member states should take responsibility to ensure peace and practice what is prescribed in the UN Charter.
The US has supported the idea of a Palestinian state but still insists that this should be achieved in negotiated settlements between Israel and the Palestinians, warning them of any unilateral moves at the UN or on the ground.
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