US vetoes UN move for Palestine statehood, citing reforms needed

The United States decided on Thursday to veto the UN resolution concerning Palestine. The resolution suggested the General Assembly hold a vote with a larger group of members to elevate Palestine to a full UN member state.

Twelve countries supported the resolution during the Security Council voting process. The United Kingdom and Switzerland opted to abstain.

Deputy Permanent Representative of the USA to the United Nations, Robert Wood, stated that the members of the UN Security Council have a critical role in ensuring all their decisions promote international peace and security.

Wood cited a report by the Committee on the Admission of New Members, which noted a lack of consensus on whether the applicant fulfills the membership criteria outlined in Article IV of the United Nations Charter.

- We have long called on the Palestinian Authority to undertake necessary reforms to help establish the attributes of readiness for statehood and note that Hamas, a terrorist organization, is currently exerting power and influence in Gaza, an integral part of the state envisioned in this resolution," he said adding that "For these reasons, the United States voted "no" on this Security Council resolution."

Wood further highlighted that the United States staunchly supports a two-state solution. - This vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood but instead is an acknowledgment that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties

The US veto prompted strong criticism from the Palestinian Authority's representatives, who labeled the decision "unfair, unethical, and unjustified."

However, Israel applauded the US stance. - The shameful proposal was rejected - Terrorism will not be rewarded - remarked Foreign Minister Israel Katz.