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.
Hannah Waddingham reflects on end of Ted Lasso and friendship with Jason Sudeikis
In Pics: Closing Ceremony of Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games
Maternity Leave Extended in 25 Chinese Provinces: Official
Beijing Enhances Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation
Lenny Kravitz, 59, left Rita Moreno, 92, so giddy when they met that she 'nearly peed my britches'
Shandong Establishes Online Platform to Provide Door
Beijing 2022 Mascots: Made in China, Made of 'China'
Maternity Leave Extended in 25 Chinese Provinces: Official
Folk Artists Put on Performance to Celebrate Upcoming Spring Festival in SW China's Sichuan
Chinese navy is operating out of Cambodia's Ream base: US think tank — Radio Free Asia
Lantern Festival Celebrated Across China