Examining Palestine’s quest for F=full UN membership: Implications and challenges

In response to Israel’s war in Gaza, the Palestinians believe that their formal resumption of their candidacy for full membership in the UN is a necessary but uncertain procedure. After gaining observer status in 2012, the Palestinians have been pushing for full membership which would mean statehood recognition for several years. UN representative Riyad Mansour asked that an application from 2011 be reviewed “upon instructions of the Palestinian leadership” in a letter dated that was seen.

Rationale for membership

According to papers obtained by AFP, the letter has been forwarded to the Security Council, where the Palestinians have requested that it be examined this month. Mansour has stated time and time again in recent months that the Palestinians’ top objective is to join the UN in light of Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which is a reaction to Hamas’ attack on October 7. Since 1947, the creation of two states in Palestine has been determined by the international community. The international community, in collaboration with the Palestinian people, has an obligation to finalize that process by granting membership to the state of Palestine. In reference to a council meeting scheduled for April 18 regarding the situation in Gaza, the Palestinians said they would “start mobilizing the largest number of countries to support us” and expressed hope that the council would act in April.

Diplomatic efforts

Mansour’s letter was “received and circulated” to council members, according to Malta, which is in charge of the Security Council on a rotational basis. It also stated that discussions will take place “on a way forward.” In a letter to Guterres that was also obtained by AFP, the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the Non-Aligned Movement expressed support for the Palestinian request. The joint letter, which contained a list of those nations, stated, “We wish to bring to your attention that, as of this date, 140 Member States have recognized the state of Palestine.” Mahmud Abbas, the president of Palestine, submitted an application in 2011, but it was never put to a vote by the Security Council. Instead, in November 2012, the General Assembly decided to give the Palestinians observer status. The General Assembly needs to approve any request for admission to the UN after it has been proposed by the council and received a two-thirds majority. 

Opposition and challenges

Observers predict that the United States, Israel’s closest friend, would use its Security Council veto authority to thwart the recommendation, making the Palestinian bid for membership unlikely to make it to the assembly. “I find it very hard to see the US swallowing this proposal.” International Crisis Group analyst Richard Gowan stated that it took months for Washington to decide not to obstruct a council resolution requesting a ceasefire in Gaza. In Washington’s view, pushing for Palestinian statehood will only make it more difficult to persuade Israel to agree to a truce. The Palestinians would need nine votes from the fifteen members of the council and no veto from any of the five permanent members Britain, France, China, Russia, and the United States in order to be approved. Israel has steadfastly opposed a two-state solution for the time being, as seen by an overwhelming majority vote in the parliament in February rejecting any unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Regional and global implications

Britain, France, and Spain are among the European nations that have expressed interest in possible recognition. Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, declared in February that such a move was no longer “taboo.” Currently in the early phases of discussions, a new draft Security Council resolution authored by France brings up the subject of “desire to welcome the State of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations. The British Mandate for Palestine was to be divided into two states, one Jewish and one Arab, by a resolution of the UN General Assembly in November 1947. However, on May 14, 1948, only Israel was founded, which led to a conflict between the fledgling country and numerous Arab nations. The Palestinians are aware that if there is a truce and UN members turn their attention to other matters, their window of opportunity to press this issue would close.

Conclusion

In conclusion, In order for the Palestinian Authority to become a fully fledged member of the United Nations, its application needs to be approved by a minimum of nine out of the fifteen members of the Security Council. Additionally, it needs to be voted on by two thirds of the members of the General Assembly.