A White Home spokesman on Friday defended america’ determination to oppose a U.N. decision declaring help for Palestinian statehood, saying that such a measure needs to be negotiated within the Center East.
The US was amongst a handful of holdouts because the United Nations Normal Meeting overwhelmingly adopted a decision declaring that Palestinians qualify for full membership on the United Nations. The vote was extensively seen as a rebuke of Israel and america as international outrage mounts over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
John F. Kirby, a White Home nationwide safety spokesman, stated President Biden remained “absolutely and firmly dedicated” to a Palestinian state, however the U.N. decision was not the way in which to determine it.
“We proceed to consider within the energy and promise of a two-state answer, and an impartial state for the Palestinian individuals,” Mr. Kirby advised reporters. “We additionally consider that one of the simplest ways to do this is thru direct negotiations with the events and never by a vote of the U.N. of this sort.”
Friday’s vote comes because the ties between america and Israel, its closest ally within the Center East, are examined over the conflict in Gaza. Greater than 34,000 individuals have died in Gaza, together with each combatants and civilians, and the director of the World Meals Program has stated that elements of the Gaza Strip are experiencing a “full-blown famine.”
The US is the greatest provider of weapons to Israel, and Mr. Biden is hoping to make use of that leverage to get Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to forgo a long-threatened invasion of Rafah, the southern Gaza metropolis the place multiple million Palestinians have taken refuge.
Mr. Biden has halted a cargo of bombs to Israel and stated he would withhold artillery as effectively if Israel moved ahead in Rafah. However the Israelis preserve they want to enter Rafah to complete destroying Hamas, which killed 1,200 individuals within the Oct. 7 terrorist assault it led on Israel.
The U.N. decision doesn’t set up a Palestinian state, but it surely does acknowledge Palestine to qualify for full-member standing on the United Nations. Its membership will must be accepted by the U.N. Safety Council, which incorporates america.
The US has repeatedly wielded its veto energy on the council to dam U.N. resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
The U.N. Normal Meeting took up Friday’s decision after america vetoed in April a decision that got here earlier than the Safety Council that might have acknowledged full membership for a Palestinian state, which is taken into account a “nonmember observer state.”
The decision that handed on Friday would lengthen to Palestinians new privileges, corresponding to sitting amongst member states in alphabetical order, talking at conferences on any subject as a substitute of being restricted to Palestinian affairs, and submitting proposals and amendments.
The decision was ready by the United Arab Emirates, the present chair of the U.N. Arab Group, and sponsored by 70 nations. It declares that “the State of Palestine is certified for membership within the United Nations” underneath its constitution guidelines and recommends that the Safety Council rethink the matter with a positive final result.”
The decision’s adoption prompted rousing applause.
Farnaz Fassihi contributed reporting.
