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The United States blocked a United Nations Security Council resolution on Thursday that would have recognized a Palestinian state, sparking sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders.
The resolution, which received twelve votes in favor from Security Council members, with the UK and Switzerland abstaining, was ultimately vetoed by the US.
In response, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the US veto, labeling it as "unfair, immoral, and unjustified." Abbas emphasized that the move defied the will of the international community, which has expressed strong support for Palestinian statehood.
Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz praised the US decision to veto the resolution, denouncing the proposal as "shameful." Katz took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his support for the US stance, characterizing the resolution as a "reward for terrorism."
The Palestinian push for recognition as a UN member state follows a series of deadly clashes between Israeli forces and Hamas militants. The violence erupted six months ago, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel reiterated the US position earlier on Thursday, stating that the US would vote against the resolution. Patel emphasized that premature actions in New York would not lead to Palestinian statehood, stressing the importance of direct negotiations between Israel and Palestinian representatives.
The Palestinian quest for recognition as a full member state began in 2011, with the current status of non-member observer state granted in November 2012.
Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan condemned the veto, warning against the establishment of what he termed a "Palestinian terror state." Erdan argued that such a state would pose a significant threat to Israel's security.
The US veto underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and highlights the challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels.
[Information from CNN]
