Monday, September 26, 2011

Security Council Discussing Palestine's UN Bid; UN Expected to Grant Palestine Observer Status

The United Nations Security Council today (September 26, 2011) starts considering -- in closed consultations -- the issue of Palestine's UN membership bid, according to the Eurasia Review website.

On September 23, President Mahmoud Abbas -- the head of the Palestine Authority -- handed over his request to recognize Palestine's independence and to grant it full membership rights to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Because of its close relationship with Israel -- which adamantly opposes UN recognition of Palestine -- the United States said it will veto the Palestine membership bid when it comes up for a vote in the Security Council.

That being the case, the UN General Assembly -- where most of its nations have shown support for Palestine's UN bid -- can still grant Palestine "observer" status. Such a status will allow the Palestinians to participate in many forums and to file lawsuits against Israel in the International Criminal Court.

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