Palestinian and Israeli representatives addressed the Security Council ahead of the vote on a resolution granting Palestinians full membership on the UN Security Council.
Ziad Abu Amr, the UN Special Representative for the Observer State of Palestine, said that a UN resolution granting the Palestinian Observer State full membership in international organizations would be “an important pillar for achieving peace in the region.” stated at the United Nations Security Council. (UNSC) Prior to voting.
“We still aspire to live in freedom, security and peace in an independent state like countries around the world, practicing our right to self-determination,” Abu Amr said Thursday, adding that Palestinians added, “We have made it and will continue to make it.'' Great sacrifices were made to achieve this goal. ”
The Security Council is scheduled to vote on Palestine's candidacy for full UN membership later on Thursday. But the initiative appears doomed to failure, given that Israel's staunch ally, the United States, has veto power.
Abu Amr dismissed claims from the United States and other countries that may oppose the resolution that it would jeopardize political negotiations and prospects for peace.
“To those who say that recognition of a Palestinian state must be negotiated and not through UN resolutions, we say: 'How was the state of Israel established?' So it wasn't because of Resolution 181?'' Abu Amr said.
“This resolution is not a substitute for negotiations and resolution of outstanding issues, but rather gives Palestinians hope for an independent state once this hope has evaporated,” it added.
“We hope that you will give us the opportunity to become an integral part of the international community that strives to achieve international peace and security.”
In a speech to the Security Council, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan accused the body of voting for a resolution that “rewarded terrorists” involved in the October 7 attack by Hamas, the Palestinian group that rules Gaza. He accused it of being politicized. .
“If this resolution is passed – and it cannot be allowed to happen – this should no longer be known as the Security Council, but as the ‘Terrorism’ Council,” he said. “The only thing that unilateral forced recognition of a Palestinian state will do is make future negotiations nearly impossible.”
Erdan called the Palestinian Authority (PA) a “genocide-loving organization that does not deserve any status” at the United Nations, which requires new applicants to be “peace-loving” states.
He also asserted that the PA has no authority over Gaza and parts of the West Bank. “So who will the United Nations recognize? Who will be in charge?” he asked.
“The United Nations is not committed to multilateralism. Unfortunately, it is currently committed to multiple forms of terrorism,” he continued. “Today, the mask finally came off and the Security Council revealed itself.”
Erdan accused the United Nations of voting on a “destructive and immoral” resolution at a time when there was a risk of escalating the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on Israel over the weekend after the attack on its consulate in Damascus was widely blamed on Israel.
Israeli officials have not said when or where they will retaliate, but the country's military commander has vowed to do so.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the meeting by warning that rising tensions over the Gaza war and Iran's attacks on Israel could escalate into a “full-scale regional conflict.”
“The Middle East is on the brink. We have recently seen a dangerous escalation in words and deeds,” Guterres said.
“One miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake can lead to the unthinkable of a full-scale regional conflict with devastating consequences for all involved,” he said. He called on those involved to exercise “the utmost restraint.”
Guterres condemned both the attack on the consulate and the drone attack, calling the latter a “serious escalation.”
“It's time to end this bloody cycle of retaliation,” he said. “It's time to stop.”
