The United States, US has vetoed a widely supported resolution at the UN Security Council (UNSC) that would have paved the way for the State of Palestine to gain full membership at the United Nations.
According to report, the vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 in favour. But the US opposed and two abstentions, the UK and Switzerland.
The report stated that after vetoing the measure, the US deputy envoy to the UN, Robert Wood justified the position of the US.
He said “Washington believed there was no other path to Palestinian statehood than through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
“We have long been clear that premature actions here in New York, even with the best intentions, will not achieve statehood for the Palestinian people.”
Al Jazeera reports that the resolution was widely expected to fail as the US, Israel’s staunchest ally, holds veto power at the Security Council and had opposed its passage.
Recall that the State of Palestine currently is a non-member observer at the UN. Palestine had submitted an application for admission as permanent member of the UN. But an application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the Security Council and then at least two-thirds of the General Assembly.
In an effort to gain support, the UN special representative for the state of Palestine, Ziad Abu Amr had on Thursday afternoon appealed for support.
“We are still longing to practice our right to self-determination. To live in freedom, security and peace. In an independent State similar to other countries around the world,” Abu Amr told the Council.
“Palestinians,” he added, “made and continue to make great sacrifices to achieve this goal.”
But reacting to the US veto, the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas accused the US of the use of aggression. He said, “US veto was a blatant aggression which pushes the region ever further to the edge of the abyss.”
Hamas on its own said it condemned US’s “biased” position “in the strongest terms.”
Egypt expressed “deep regret” over the move. It said the US was violating its “legal and historical responsibility” by denying Palestinian statehood.
On its part, the Russia said the US had demonstrated that it only considered the “the interest of Israel.”
Tehran said the US Security Council veto to block Palestine from achieving full UN membership was “irresponsible.”
The Tehran, therefore, described the move as “irresponsible” and “unconstructive.”
Saudi Arabia also expressed regret over the failure of the UN Security Council to adopt a draft resolution accepting full membership of the State of Palestine in the United Nations.
But Israeli foreign minister, Israeli Katz, commended the US for casting a veto on Thursday. He said, “The shameful proposal was rejected. Terrorism will not be rewarded.”
source: Daily Post
