Saudi Arabia Expresses Disappointment Over UN Security Council's Failure to Grant Palestine Full Membership

Saudi Arabia has expressed deep disappointment over the United Nations Security Council's failure to grant Palestine full UN membership. The Kingdom called on the international community to stop attacks on Gaza civilians and support Palestinian statehood within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry stressed that obstructing Palestine's full UN membership will increase the Israeli occupation's intransigence and violations of international law without deterrence, and will not bring the desired peace closer. The ministry renewed the Kingdom's demand that the international community stop the Israeli occupation's attacks on civilians in Gaza and support the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and establishing their state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolutions.

Jordan and Qatar also expressed regret over the Security Council's inability to approve a resolution for Palestine's full UN membership due to the US veto. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) affirmed Palestine's legitimate right to full UN membership, stating that the US veto contravenes the UN Charter.

Why this matters: The failure to grant Palestine full UN membership is seen as a setback for efforts to bring peace to the region and a betrayal of the shared goal of lasting peace in the Middle East. It raises questions about the effectiveness of international mechanisms in respecting people's rights and ensuring regional stability.

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, reiterated the GCC's firm position in support of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He urged the international community to work towards the recognition of the State of Palestine and ensure that the Palestinian people's basic and legitimate rights are respected, in accordance with UN resolutions and international law.

Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour said the failure to pass the resolution will not break their will and that the state of Palestine is inevitable. "The people of Palestine will not disappear," Mansour stated. The United States defended its veto, maintaining that its support for a two-state solution remains strong, but any change in Palestine's UN status should come through negotiations with Israel.

Key Takeaways

• Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Qatar express disappointment over UN's failure to grant Palestine full membership.
• OIC affirms Palestine's right to full UN membership, condemns US veto as violating UN Charter.
• GCC reiterates support for Palestinian statehood within 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as capital.
• Palestinian ambassador says failure won't break their will, statehood is inevitable.
• US defends veto, says any change in Palestine's UN status should come through negotiations with Israel.