WASHINGTON — The United States used its veto on Thursday to block a Palestinian bid for full membership at the United Nations, a move that underscored American isolation over its support for Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip.
By a vote of 12 in favor, the United States against and 2 abstentions (the United Kingdom and Switzerland), the Algeria-sponsored draft resolution failed to pass the council.
Thursday’s vote marks the fourth time since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks that the United States has exercised its veto authority on the Security Council to shield Israel from resolutions. It abstained from, rather than vetoed, a cease-fire resolution in March, as domestic and international pressure mounted over the administration’s Gaza policy.
To be admitted as a new member, Palestine needs the approval of at least nine Security Council members and no vetoes, followed by a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly.
After its first failed membership bid in 2011, the UN General Assembly voted to upgrade Palestine’s status to “non-member observer state.” Like the Vatican, Palestine can’t vote in the General Assembly but can participate in UN bodies, such as the International Criminal Court.
The United States had hoped to persuade other member states to vote “no” on the draft resolution so that it could avoid using its veto. The Biden administration maintains that before UN membership, there must first be a negotiated agreement between the Palestinians and Israel, which in 1967 captured the territories the Palestinians seek as part of their independent homeland.
Robert Wood, the deputy US ambassador to the UN, said the American veto should not be interpreted as opposition to Palestinian statehood.
"Premature actions here in New York, even with the best of intentions, will not achieve statehood for the Palestinian people," Wood said after the vote.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
