In a recent Security Council session, the United States stood alone as it cast a veto against Palestine's request for full United Nations (UN) membership. The draft resolution, which would have recommended the General Assembly to hold a vote on Palestine's inclusion as a full UN Member State, was rejected with a vote of 12 in favor, one against, and two abstentions.

The draft resolution, considered one of the shortest in the Council's history, stated that the Security Council "recommends to the General Assembly that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership in the United Nations." However, to pass, a draft resolution requires at least nine members in favor, with none of the five permanent members exercising their veto power. In this case, the United States used its veto power, preventing the resolution from moving forward.

Palestine had submitted their request for reconsideration of their 2011 application to become a UN Member State at the start of this month, amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Security Council had previously considered this request in 2011 but was unable to reach a consensus on a recommendation to the General Assembly, which, according to the UN Charter, requires a vote involving all 193 Member States.

The recent request was sent to the Security Council's Committee on the Admission of Member States, which held discussions on April 8 and 11. Palestine has held the status of Permanent Observer at the UN since 2012 and was an observer in the UN General Assembly before that.

Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, criticized the United States' veto, noting that it was the fifth time the US has vetoed a resolution related to the Gaza conflict. He accused the US of not believing that Palestinians deserve their own state and viewing them as obstacles to Israel's interests. Nebenzia added that the global community overwhelmingly supports Palestine's application for full UN membership, making the US veto a futile attempt to halt the inevitable progress.

US Deputy Permanent Representative Robert Wood defended the US veto, stating that there were unresolved questions about whether Palestine met the criteria to be considered a state. He cited the influence of Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, in Gaza as a factor that raised concerns. Wood reiterated the US's support for a two-State solution but emphasized that Palestinian statehood should come through direct negotiations between the parties involved.

China's Ambassador to the UN, Fu Cong, expressed disappointment over the veto and called Palestine's admission as a full member of the UN more urgent than ever before. He highlighted the changes in the situation in Palestine over the past 13 years, including settlement expansion, and emphasized the Palestinians' inherent right to establish an independent state. Fu Cong pledged China's support for Palestine and its commitment to achieving peace between Palestine and Israel.

The US veto has once again highlighted the deep divisions within the Security Council regarding the Palestinian issue. While some countries argue for immediate recognition of Palestine as a full member of the UN, others express concerns about unresolved questions and the need for direct negotiations. As the diplomatic efforts continue, the dream of Palestinian statehood remains uncertain, and the path to a peaceful resolution between Palestine and Israel becomes increasingly challenging.