Türkiye backs Palestine's UN membership bid despite expected US veto
Türkiye stands firm in its support for Palestine's bid for full U.N. membership, despite anticipated U.S. opposition, as diplomatic efforts intensify ahead of an upcoming U.N Security Council meeting
Türkiye reaffirmed its support for Palestine's bid for full United Nations membership on Wednesday. However, it acknowledged the process' challenges, which require approval from the U.N. Security Council and a two-thirds majority vote in the U.N. General Assembly.
Highlighting an imminent U.N. Security Council meeting set for April 18, sources noted Algeria's intention to table a draft resolution advocating Palestine's full U.N membership, initiating the approval process.
Nonetheless, recent developments signal growing international support for recognizing Palestine as a state, the sources emphasized.
Türkiye has long been a staunch advocate of this cause, spearheading Palestine's observer member status acquisition in 2012 through a General Assembly resolution and continually seeking global recognition for Palestine in ongoing discussions, they added.
Robert Wood, the U.S. deputy permanent representative to the U.N., has reiterated the U.S. administration's stance on Palestine's full U.N. membership, signaling a veto and emphasizing the necessity of negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
What is the process?
The draft resolution must pass with nine "yes" votes and no veto from any of the five permanent Security Council members among the 15 members.
Should the Security Council recommend admission for Palestine, the proposal would then proceed to the General Assembly for consideration, where a two-thirds majority vote is required for membership.
Palestine currently on observer status
Palestine first applied for full U.N. membership in 2011, but the application failed to garner sufficient support in the Security Council, resulting in "observer status" granted in 2012.
Palestinian Ambassador to the U.N. Riyad Mansour sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on April 2, requesting a reconsideration of their membership application, followed by Guterres urging the Security Council on April 3 to review Palestine's request.
On April 8, the Security Council referred Palestine's request to the Committee on the Admission of New Members, which, after two meetings, announced its failure to reach a consensus.
Source: Newsroom
