UN Security Council Is Up To Decide Through Voting, Palestine's Application For Full Membership.

On Thursday, April 18, the UN Security Council will cast a vote on the Palestinians' request to join the UN as a full member state.

The Palestinians renewed their bid for UN membership in early April, while the US has consistently opposed it and vetoed it. This is while Israel is still conducting its military campaign in Gaza.

A two-thirds majority vote in the General Assembly is required to accept a new member state, but this can only happen if the Security Council makes a recommendation.

Following AFP's reporting on the scheduled vote by multiple diplomatic sources, the Arab Group, a regional bloc, released a statement on Tuesday reiterating its "unwavering support" for the Palestinian application.

The statement: “Membership in the United Nations is a crucial step in the right direction towards a just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions.” 

The resolution that "recommends" to the General Assembly that "the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations" was written by Algeria, a non-permanent member of the Security Council.

Ministers from numerous Arab nations are expected to attend the Security Council meeting that was arranged several weeks ago to review the situation in Gaza, which falls on Thursday.

Since 2012, the Palestinians have been observers at the UN and have long campaigned for full membership.

"We are seeking admission. Speaking in April, Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour stated, "That is our natural and legal right."

There is optimism that the request will be approved by the General Assembly because 137 of the 193 UN members now recognize the existence of a Palestinian state.

Yet, the United States, Israel's closest ally, might use its veto power to thwart the Security Council recommendation, posing a significant obstacle to the Palestinians' bid for UN membership.