By Joseph A. Klein, CFP United Nations Columnist ——Bio and Archives--May 12, 2024

Cover Story | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us

The United Nations once again indulged the Palestinians’ quest to become a full-fledged member of the UN club. This followed the United States’ veto of a Security Council resolution that would have recommended to the General Assembly that it upgrade the Observer State of Palestine to full member state status.

According to the UN Charter, the General Assembly can only admit a new member state upon such a Security Council recommendation, not on its own. But that did not stop the General Assembly from passing its own meaningless resolution on May 10th, entitled “Admission of new Members to the United Nations.” This resolution enshrined the fiction that the Palestinians are ready to become a UN member state with full rights and privileges. The Palestinians are far from ready for prime time, however. At minimum, they first need to overcome the seemingly irreconcilable division of governance authority between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, build a viable foundational infrastructure, and end completely the Palestinian campaign of genocidal terror carried out against Israeli civilians.

The General Assembly resolution asks the Security Council to reconsider the Palestinian Authority’s application for full UN membership status. Until the Security Council formally recommends such full UN membership status, which will not happen unless the Biden administration buckles, the Observer State of Palestine will not have the same voting rights as a real member state.

In the meantime, however, the General Assembly decided to give the Palestinians some consolation prizes. Effective on September........

© Canada Free Press