The United States’ decision to oppose a U.N. resolution declaring support for Palestinian statehood has sparked controversy and debate. White House spokesman John F. Kirby defended the decision, stating that a Palestinian state should be negotiated in the Middle East rather than through a U.N. vote.
The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted the resolution, with the United States among a handful of holdouts. The vote was seen as a rebuke of Israel and the U.S. amid global outrage over the Israel-Hamas war.
Tensions between the U.S. and Israel have been strained, with President Biden using leverage to prevent a potential invasion of Rafah, a city in Gaza. The U.S. is the largest supplier of weapons to Israel, and Biden has halted a shipment of bombs in response to the escalating conflict.
The resolution does not establish a Palestinian state but recognizes Palestine as eligible for full membership at the U.N. Security Council approval is required for membership, and the U.S. has historically used its veto power to block resolutions related to Gaza.
The resolution, sponsored by 70 countries and supported by the United Arab Emirates, grants new privileges to Palestinians at the U.N. The adoption of the resolution was met with applause, signaling a significant step in the ongoing debate over Palestinian statehood.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, the international community watches closely to see how the situation will unfold.
