The vote during the Tenth Emergency Special Session on Palestine presented a classic piece of political theater where a whopping majority of 143 countries, including much of Europe, as well as the Global South and the usual progressive regimes, endorsed a draft resolution that sends the Palestine question to the powerful fifteen-member Security Council for a political blessing. Palestine has already held non-voting U.N. Observer status since 2012.
Set inside a tense but not overflowing General Assembly hall, with the political trappings of high drama, speeches calling for redressing historical grievances flowed forth. Ambassador Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine, speaking passionately before the vote, stated, "A 'yes' vote is a vote for Palestinian existence; it is not against any state, but it is against attempts to deprive us of our State." He added that such a move would be an investment in peace.
Israel's Ambassador Gilad Erdan stated sarcastically, "Today, you have a choice between weakness and fighting terror," adding that the U.N. is appeasing "murderous dictators" and destroying the U.N. Charter. "This day will go down in infamy," he intoned solemnly.
In closing while still at the rostrum, the Israeli Ambassador held up a mini electric document shredder and inserted the cover of the U.N. Charter, and shredded it to the disbelieving eyes of assembled diplomats.
Russia's delegate Vassily Nebenzia offered some irony, saying Palestine deserves nothing less than full membership at the U.N. "It is the moral duty of everyone," he said.
But wait, they got the process the wrong way round! The U.N. Charter cites that membership "is open to all other peace-loving States which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter." But the process goes first to the Security Council, and if it is not blocked by one of the permanent five members — China, France, Russia, the United States or the United Kingdom — only then proceeds to the full General Assembly for affirmation.
This seemingly simple procedure was attempted in April when the case for full Palestine membership was vetoed by the United States, sending the whole process into political tailspin. When the Palestine membership issue returns to the Security Council, Washington is almost certain to use its veto to stop the move. The U.S. favors a phased in Two State Solution as the best path to peace.
Though the U.N. Charter allows for "peace-loving states" to join the organization, the Hamas terrorist record, makes the claim absurdly moot. The old Palestine Authority Government, which theoretically controls Gaza, is not in charge, having been ousted by the terrorist Hamas movement, which holds de facto leadership.
Hamas's loathsome terror against Israeli civilians (and often fellow Palestinians) on Oct. 7 disqualifies and disgraces the de facto Gaza rulers for U.N. membership in New York but should instead fast-track them to the International Criminal Court in the Hague.
Here's some political math; clearly the vote was a serious setback for the U.S. State Department, and obviously a diplomatically isolated Israel who were clearly trying to get a few more votes against the draft resolution and many more abstentions. Of the nine no votes besides the U.S. and Israel, the only two European countries supporting Washington were the Czech Republic and Hungary, and there was also Argentina.
Of those close allies supporting Palestine's membership included France, Denmark, Poland, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Naturally states ranging from Russia and China to Brazil, India and Pakistan backed the move too.
Among the 23 abstentions included Austria, Canada, Italy, Germany, U.K. and Ukraine.
Many countries rationalized their decision based on the resolution, which doesn't give Palestine formal voting rights in the General Assembly but rather a more enhanced standing beyond its current observer status.
Still, Palestine's U.N. Seat is all about symbolism and political legitimacy for a Hamas terrorist regime that still forcibly holds Israeli hostages, among them Americans.
Exhibiting its foreign policy incoherence, the Biden administration has shamelessly undercut Israel's vital military resupply line, widening the political rift between the U.S. and Israel, but has held firm on the diplomatic front where the administration is increasingly isolated.
Tragically, Gaza's war continues. But both sides see grim vindication in their policies.
John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism the Diplomacy of Separated Nations; Germany, Korea, China."
Palestine's UN membership; Political theater continues
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23.05.2024
The vote during the Tenth Emergency Special Session on Palestine presented a classic piece of political theater where a whopping majority of 143 countries, including much of Europe, as well as the Global South and the usual progressive regimes, endorsed a draft resolution that sends the Palestine question to the powerful fifteen-member Security Council for a political blessing. Palestine has already held non-voting U.N. Observer status since 2012.
Set inside a tense but not overflowing General Assembly hall, with the political trappings of high drama, speeches calling for redressing historical grievances flowed forth. Ambassador Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine, speaking passionately before the vote, stated, "A 'yes' vote is a vote for Palestinian existence; it is not against any state, but it is against attempts to deprive us of our State." He added that such a move would be an investment in peace.
Israel's Ambassador Gilad Erdan stated sarcastically, "Today, you have a choice between weakness and fighting terror," adding that the U.N. is appeasing "murderous dictators" and destroying the U.N. Charter. "This day will go down in infamy," he intoned........
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