Belgium to back Palestine's bid for UN membership, calls on EU to support

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib announced Monday that Belgium will advocate for a draft resolution endorsing Palestine's full membership of the U.N.

Speaking after a meeting with her Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki, Lahbib emphasized the importance of the vote scheduled for May 10 and urged the EU not to ignore this historic opportunity.

Expressing Belgium's commitment to the cause, Lahbib revealed plans for Belgium to co-sponsor and endorse the resolution aimed at recognizing Palestine as a full U.N. member.

Lahbib shared a photo from his meeting with the Palestinian Foreign Minister on social media, reiterating Belgium's support for Palestine's U.N. status and describing it as a “message to Riyad al-Maliki.”

She also said the decision is a crucial first step toward promoting regional peace.

Palestine has been an observer state at the U.N. since 2012, which allows it to participate in debates and U.N. bodies without voting privileges.

US veto in action

On April 18, the U.S. exercised its veto power in the U.N. Security Council to reject Palestine's request for full U.N. membership.

Although the resolution received 12 votes in favor, the U.S. opposed it, while the U.K. and Switzerland abstained.

A council resolution must be adopted with at least nine affirmative votes and no veto from permanent members, including the U.S., U.K., France, Russia and China.

Source: AA