On Thursday, April 18, the UN Security Council gathered to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East and the Palestinian Authority’s request for full membership in the United Nations. Currently, the PA holds observer status.
In his opening remarks, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that tensions in the region were escalating and urged all parties involved to exercise caution. He condemned recent attacks by Iran on Israel and Israeli retaliation against Iranian targets in Damascus, calling for an end to the cycle of violence.
Guterres also expressed concern about the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where both Palestinian and Israeli casualties have been mounting. He called for a ceasefire and urged Israel to release all hostages being held in Gaza.
The Secretary-General also highlighted the explosive situation in the West Bank, where both Palestinian and Israeli casualties have been rising. He criticized Israel’s ongoing expansion of settlements, which he said was a violation of international law. Guterres called on Israel to stop settler violence and protect the Palestinian population.
During discussions at the Security Council, a draft resolution proposed by Algeria on behalf of the Arab group was presented to grant full member status to the Palestinian Authority. However, reports indicated that the United States planned to veto the resolution, emphasizing that direct negotiations between Israel and Palestinians were necessary for peace.
The decision on whether or not to grant full membership to Palestine requires support from at least nine out of 15 members without any veto from permanent members (USA, UK, France, Russia, China). The US government reiterated its stance that direct negotiations with Israel were essential for achieving lasting peace between Palestinians and Jews.