As announced, the United States vetoed this Thursday, April 18, in the Security Council the resolution on Palestinian entry as a full member of the United Nations, where it is now only an observer. The resolution, presented by Algeria on behalf of the Arab Group of the United Nations, obtained 12 favorable votes, compared to 2 abstentions and the vote against by the United States. The draft resolution recommended to the UN General Assembly that “the State of Palestine be admitted as a member of the United Nations.” Spain and Ireland, for their part, defended this Thursday the eventual admission and creation of a Palestinian State, as part of the solution to the conflict with Israel.
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The UN Security Council, based in New York, voted this Thursday, April 18, on the Palestinian request to be a full member of the United Nations.
With the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip in the background, the Palestinians reactivated a request for full membership of the UN dating back to 2011.
However, the resolution was blocked by the United States, which has veto power in the Council.
The resolution, presented by Algeria on behalf of the Arab Group of the United Nations, obtained 12 favorable votes, compared to 2 abstentions (United Kingdom and Switzerland) and the vote against by the United States.
Countries that had been ambiguous during previous speeches (such as France, Japan, Korea and Ecuador) finally joined the Palestinian request.
To move forward, the resolution required 9 votes and none of the five permanent members opposed.
The United States had already spoken out on the matter. State Department spokesman Vedant Padel said before the vote that They would oppose that initiative.
“We have been very clear in expressing that premature actions in New York, even if they have the best intentions, will not ensure that Palestine is recognized as a State,” Padel said at a press conference in Washington.
The spokesperson explained that there are two factors that justify the decision. The first, that from the perspective of Joe Biden's Government, Palestine does not meet the conditions to be considered a UN Member State. The second, that “Hamas, a terrorist organization, is the one that is exercising power and influence” in the Gaza Strip, one of the Palestinian territories.
With the announced American veto, the resolution was blocked. Even so, the vote is full of symbolism, as it officially certifies the position of different governments regarding the Palestinian cause.
Among the members of the Security Council, they had clearly stated in favor of a Palestinian state Russia, China, Algeria, Malta, Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Guyana.
The United Kingdom, France, Japan, Korea and Ecuador had expressed themselves in a more ambiguous way, finally supporting the resolution.
The resolution for the Palestinian state – which was already presented in 2011 without being voted on – has aroused unanimous support from Muslim and non-aligned countries, as well as some Europeans, such as the case of Spain.
Spain reaffirms support for a Palestinian state
For the Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, the main reasons why Spain supports this request is because “it is good for Israel's security.”
According to the head of foreign policy of the Government of Pedro Sánchez, Palestinians “cannot be condemned to be a people of refugees” and “they have the right to a future with hope just as the people of Israel have the right to a future in peace and security.”
Albares follows the same line as the 139 countries that already recognize the Palestinian State. Furthermore, the minister also recalled that Spain has taken the lead by proposing, “in the shortest possible time,” he said, a international peace conference dealing with the palestinian conflict. They are not alone in this: the European Union has backed the idea, as have the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, totaling more than 80 countries.
The Sánchez Government, according to its Executive, has already is holding a series of meetings with other European leaders to explain the reasons for his support for the Palestinians and tries to convince them that it is the best option. However, the Spanish Government insists that its decision is made independently of what other countries do, although it would like it to be a coordinated issue.
In fact, remember that The decision is supported by a proposal approved by Congress in 2014 and has a majority endorsement from Spanish society.
For now, Sánchez's journey with the Palestinian cause has led to convincing countries like Malta, Slovenia and Ireland.
Although the announced US veto means the total loss of the process for Palestinian interests, the Spanish Executive attaches great importance to the debate that will take place in the UN Security Council.
With EFE and Reuters
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