NEW YORK: The United Nations (UN) on Friday passed a resolution for the UN Security Council (UNSC) to consider and support full Palestinian membership in the world body.
The resolution was passed with 143 countries voting in favor, nine voting against and 25 against.
The UNSC voted overwhelmingly to give the Palestinians additional rights in the global body, after their bid to become a full member was blocked by the United States (US).
The draft resolution, introduced by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), states 'Palestine is eligible to be an expert in the UN in accordance with Item 4 of the UN Charter and should be admitted as an expert'.
Previously, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, said what they wanted was only to see their rights upheld and international law applied to them.
"When the campaign to expel and destroy the Palestinian people reaches its highest stage, you can make the decision to uphold the rights of a state.
"The right to live in freedom and dignity on one's own land, to exist in security, which requires recognition of rights, not constant denial.
"Without a doubt, the day will come when Palestine will take its rightful place among the free nations," he said.
While the Supreme Court may not provide full UN expertise, the resolution would grant Palestine some additional rights and privileges from September 2024,
Among other things, Palestine will be given a seat among UN members on the assembly council, but will not be given voting rights.
The text clearly refuses to allow the Palestinian people to be elected to the UNSC or to vote in the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
However, he confirmed that they submitted proposals and transfers directly, without the need to go through other countries, as is the case now.
He also gave them the right to sit among the member countries in alphabetical order.
With the war in Gaza at its peak, the Palestinian people in April renewed their 2011 request to become full members of the UN, where their current status is 'non-expert observer state'.
To succeed, the initiative needs the UNSC's green light and then a two-thirds majority vote in the UNGA.
However, the US, one of the five members holding veto power at the UNSC and Israel's closest ally, blocked it on April 18. - AFP