From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Palestinians officially revive application to become full UN member state
The Palestinians have officially revived their application to become a full member state in the United Nations, according to a letter from their UN envoy dated Tuesday and seen by AFP.
The Palestinians, who have had observer status at the world body since 2012, have lobbied for years to gain full membership, which would amount to recognition of Palestinian statehood.
In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour requested “upon instructions of the Palestinian leadership” that an application dating back to 2011 be reconsidered this month by the Security Council.
The letter has been transmitted to the council, according to the documents seen by AFP.
Mansour has repeatedly said in recent months that in the face of Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip, in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas, UN membership was a priority for the Palestinians.
Any request to become a UN member-state must first be recommended by the council, then endorsed by a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly.
The Times of Israel Community.