On Thursday, April 18, the UN Security Council convened to discuss the situation in the Middle East and Palestine’s request for full member status in the United Nations. Currently, the Palestinian Authority (PA) holds observer status. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his opening address, expressed concern that the Middle East is on the brink of a crisis and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent a potential regional conflict. Guterres also condemned recent attacks between Iran and Israel, calling for an end to the cycle of violence.
Additionally, the Secretary-General highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where ongoing hostilities have led to a humanitarian crisis. He also raised concerns about the escalating violence in the West Bank, emphasizing the need for Israel to end settler violence and protect the Palestinian population. Guterres called for immediate action to address the violence and uphold international law.
During the meeting, the Permanent Representative of Russia proposed a draft resolution on behalf of the Arab group to address the situation. However, Israeli Permanent Representative Gilad Erdan denounced the meeting as a reward for terrorism, expressing strong opposition to granting full member status to the PA. The United States, a veto-holding member of the Security Council, indicated its intention to block the resolution, emphasizing the importance of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
In order for the PA to achieve full member status, it must secure the support of at least nine Security Council members without any veto being exercised by the permanent members. The outcome of the meeting remains uncertain, with differing perspectives and interests at play. The discussions reflect the complex and volatile dynamics in the region, highlighting the challenges of addressing long-standing conflicts and pursuing a peaceful resolution.