US vetoes the measure

The UN Security Council was unable to approve Palestine’s full membership in the UN because the US rejected the draft resolution last week. With 12 out of the 15 members voting in favor, Algeria’s proposal received strong support. Thus, the draft had received more votes than needed to pass—nine,  to be exact.

However, the US used its veto authority, contending that direct talks between Israel and Palestine should be held on this issue. Had the resolution been approved, it would have proceeded to the 193-member United Nations General Assembly, where it would have been easily approved by over 140 members, who acknowledge the state of Palestine.

Six months after Israel started an all-out assault on Gaza, bringing horrific suffering to the people, the movement for Palestine’s full membership began. Palestine’s participation may have given peace a chance, but peace will never materialize because of the Western powers’ unrestricted right to allow Israel to carry out injustice without consequence. The only way to stop the dehumanization of Palestinians is to step up efforts to support a two-state solution once again.

It won’t work for the US to argue that direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians are necessary. Israel has had hardline regimes in the past that have adamantly refused to engage in dialogue. Palestine may already participate in UN body activities as a non-member observer state, but it cannot vote.

The US’s failure to meet the Palestinian people’s expectations allows Israel to evade a diplomatic resolution and gives it permission to carry out its crimes. Although Palestine’s flag is flown outside the UN headquarters, its position as an observer means that it is significantly different from the flags of other nations. This gap has to be shortened for the sake of peace.