UN to consider resolution granting enhanced rights to Palestine, despite US opposition

Despite the Biden administration’s clear opposition, the resolution is expected to garner significant support among member states. In April, a council resolution endorsing full UN membership for Palestine was vetoed by the United States, frustrating Palestinian aspirations that have long been countered by Israeli opposition. US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood reiterated the administration’s stance against the assembly resolution, advocating for negotiations with Israel as the pathway to Palestinian UN membership.

Unlike the Security Council, where vetoes can block decisions, the General Assembly, comprised of 193 members, operates without such constraints. Consequently, the resolution is anticipated to pass with a substantial majority, according to anonymous Western diplomats involved in the negotiations.

The revised draft resolution asserts that Palestine qualifies for membership, recommending a favorable reconsideration by the Security Council. This renewed push for Palestinian UN membership comes amid heightened attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, exacerbated by the recent Gaza war and the humanitarian crisis it has precipitated.

Alterations to the original draft were made to assuage concerns raised not only by the US but also by Russia and China, both staunch supporters of Palestine’s UN aspirations. Amendments aimed to prevent setting precedents that could affect other potential UN members, such as Kosovo and Taiwan.

The final draft omits language proposing equal footing with member states and stipulates an “exceptional basis” for adopting the rights and privileges outlined in the annex. Notably, it clarifies that Palestine, as an observer state, does not possess voting rights in the General Assembly or the ability to stand for United Nations organ candidature.

While the resolution expands Palestine’s participation rights, including speaking on all issues and proposing agenda items, it excludes voting rights, a feature present in the original draft. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s initial 2011 application for UN membership failed to secure sufficient support in the Security Council, prompting a subsequent elevation to non-member observer status through a General Assembly vote.

Despite facing setbacks, the Palestinian quest for full UN membership persists, underscored by the Security Council’s recent vote where 12 members favored full membership, while the US exercised its veto power.