On April 18, the UN Security Council held a meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East and the Palestinian Authority’s request for full member status. Currently, the PA holds observer status. In his opening remarks, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the region was on the brink of a devastating conflict and urged all parties to exercise restraint.
Guterres condemned recent attacks by Iran on Israel and Israel’s response by striking an Iranian consulate in Damascus. He emphasized the urgent need to break the cycle of violence and called for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the release of all hostages held in the strip. The Secretary-General also expressed concern over the explosive situation in the West Bank, where both Palestinian and Israeli casualties have been increasing.
He criticized Israel for violating international law by continuing to expand its settlements and called on them to end settler violence and protect Palestinians. Meanwhile, discussions at the Security Council focused on a draft resolution proposed by Algeria, representing the Arab group, which sought to grant full member status to the Palestinian Authority (PA). However, reports indicated that the US planned to veto this resolution, emphasizing direct negotiations between Israel and Palestinians as being necessary for peace.
The decision on whether or not to grant full membership status to PA requires at least nine out of fifteen members without any veto from permanent members (USA, UK, France, Russia, China). The US government reiterated its stance that direct negotiations with Israel are essential towards achieving Palestinian statehood.
