UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States vetoed a widely backed U.N. resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.
The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 in favor, the United States opposed and two abstentions, from the United Kingdom and Switzerland. U.S. allies France, Japan and South Korea supported the resolution.
The strong support the Palestinians received reflects not only the growing number of countries recognizing their statehood but almost certainly the global support for Palestinians facing a humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Gaza, now in its seventh month.
The resolution would have recommended that the 193-member U.N. General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, approve Palestine becoming the 194th member of the United Nations. Some 140 countries have already recognized Palestine, so its admission would have been approved, likely by a much higher number of countries.
Tom Schwartz rates Las Vegas kiss with Scheana Shay a FIVE as he brands it 'weird': 'So platonic'
Key ally of Pakistan's prime minister demands end to ban on social media platform X
House leaders toil to advance Ukraine and Israel aid. But threats to oust speaker grow
More human remains believed those of missing woman wash up on beach
Millie Bobby Brown, 20, goes make
UK's Princess of Wales says she is under cancer treatment
Police detective lays bare Hells Angels' twisted links to the MAFIA
Netflix adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley fuels tourism to tiny Italian town