BICOM

The UN General Assembly voted yesterday to upgrade the status of the Palestinian delegation to act more like a full member state when it chairs the G77 group of developing nations.

The US, Israel and Australia voted against the proposal to temporarily upgrade the State of Palestine’s non-member status, whilst the UK voted in favour. There were 146 votes in support, 15 abstentions and 29 countries that didn’t vote. The Egyptian-drafted resolution will allow the Palestinians to co-sponsor proposals and amendments, make statements, and raise procedural motions during its presidency of the G77 group, the largest bloc in the UN with 134 members.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the Palestinians “are not a UN member state or any state at all” and should not be granted privileges reserved for full members. “Today’s UN mistake undermines the prospects for peace by encouraging the illusion held by some Palestinian leaders that they can advance their goals without direct peace negotiations,” she added.

Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Noa Furman, said the resolution “clearly weakens and undermines the UN,” and accused the Palestinian Authority of “manipulative behaviour”. After the vote the UK, Germany and the Netherlands clarified that their yes votes should not be interpreted as recognition of Palestinian statehood, but was intended to guarantee the Palestinians a successful presidency of the G77.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, said the Palestinians “will spare no effort to prove worthy of this trust” and defend G77 interests. In 2012 the UN voted to recognise the State of Palestine when it upgraded the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO)’s observer status to a non-member state. The status upgrade has allowed the PLO to participate in some UN General Assembly votes and join some international organisations.