US blocks Palestinian push for full UN membership at Security Council

US vetoes UN Security Council resolution that recommended the state of Palestine’s full membership in the world body.

The United States has vetoed a widely supported resolution at the UN Security Council (UNSC) that would have paved the way for the state of Palestine to gain full membership at the United Nations.

Twelve countries voted in favour of the resolution, which was brought for a vote during an hours-long Security Council session in New York on Thursday, while two others – Britain and Switzerland – abstained.

After vetoing the measure, the US deputy envoy to the UN, Robert Wood, said Washington believes there is no other path to Palestinian statehood than through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

“We also have long been clear that premature actions here in New York, even with the best intentions, will not achieve statehood for the Palestinian people,” Wood said.