The United Nations Security Council President on 8 April referred the Palestine application for Statehood – to become a full member of the United Nations – to the Committee on the Admission of New Members.
Malta is president of the Security Council for April 2024.
The Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour stated after the UNSC meeting that “We sincerely hope after 12 years since we change our status to an observer state, that the Security Council will elevate itself to implementing the global consensus on the two state solution by admitting the state of Palestine for full membership.”
Palestine is currently a non-member observer state at the United Nations, the same status as the Vatican (Holy See).
He added that the aim was for the UNSC to take a decision at an April 18 ministerial meeting on the Middle East.
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan has said that a Palestinian state would be a threat to Israel’s national security. “Granting the Palestinian statehood is not only a blatant violation of the UN Charter, it also violates the fundamental principle that everyone can understand of reaching a solution a lasting solution at the negotiating table,” Erdan told reporters.
“The UN has been sabotaging peace in the Middle East for years. But today marks the beginning of the point of no return.”
Way to Palestinian Statehood at UN
According to UN Procedures, to become a full member of the UN, Palestine needs approval from 2 major UN bodies – the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly
At the UN Security Council (UNSC) it needs 9 yes votes from of the 15 member body and no veto by any of the Permanent 5 Members (US, UK, France, Russia, China). If the UNSC recommends Palestine for membership, it shall forward the recommendation to the UN General Assembly.
If the UNSC does not recommend Palestine for membership or postpones the application, it shall submit a special report to the UN General Assembly. The UNSC can also refer the issue to the committee without any vote.
At the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Palestine requires 2/3rd majority from the 193 member body.
India and Palestine
India recognises Palestine as a Non-Member Observer State of the UN.
In 1988, India became one of the first countries to recognise the Palestinian State. In 1966, India opened its Representative Office in Gaza, which was later shifted to Ramallah in 2003.
India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, while speaking at a public forum recently, reiterated India’s stand for a 2 State Solution between Israel and Palestine.
