The Palestinians on Tuesday formally revived their bid for a full member state within the United Nations — a course of with an unsure consequence however one they are saying is critical within the face of Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

The Palestinians, who’ve had observer standing on the world physique since 2012, have lobbied for years to realize full membership, which might quantity to recognition of Palestinian statehood.

In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, dated Tuesday and seen by AFP, UN envoy Riyad Mansour requested “upon instructions of the Palestinian leadership” that an utility courting again to 2011 be reconsidered.

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The letter has been transmitted to the Security Council, and the Palestinians have requested that it’s reviewed this month, based on the paperwork seen by AFP.

Mansour has repeatedly stated in current months that given Israel’s navy offensive within the Gaza Strip, a response to the October 7 assault by Hamas, UN membership is a precedence for the Palestinians.

“It was the international community that decided to create two states in Palestine since 1947,” Mansour stated in February.

“It is the duty of the international community along with the Palestinian people to complete that exercise by admitting the state of Palestine to membership.”

Last month, he stated the Palestinians would “start mobilizing the largest number of countries to support us” and expressed hope that the council would act in April, pointing to a council assembly set for April 18 on the state of affairs in Gaza.

Malta, which holds the rotating Security Council presidency, stated Mansour’s letter was “received and circulated” to council members, including that talks could be held “on a way forward.”

The League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement despatched a letter to Guterres on Tuesday, additionally seen by AFP, supporting the bid by the Palestinians.

“We wish to bring to your attention that, as of this date, 140 Member States have recognized the state of Palestine,” stated the joint letter, which included a listing of these nations.

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– US veto? –

The 2011 utility, launched by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, by no means got here earlier than the Security Council for a vote, and the General Assembly voted to grant the Palestinians observer standing in November 2012.

Any request to change into a UN member state should first be really helpful by the council, then endorsed by a two-thirds majority within the General Assembly.

Observers consider the Palestinian push for membership is unlikely to succeed in the meeting because the United States, Israel’s closest ally, may use its Security Council veto energy to derail the advice.

“I find it very hard to see the US swallowing this proposal.” Richard Gowan, an analyst on the International Crisis Group, instructed AFP, noting that it took months for Washington to agree to not block a council decision calling for a Gaza ceasefire.

“As far as Washington is concerned, forcing Palestinian statehood up the agenda is simply likely to make coaxing Israel into a ceasefire harder,” Gowan stated.

To win the council’s approval, the Palestinians must safe 9 votes from the 15 members and no veto from any of the 5 everlasting members: Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States.

For now, Israel has clearly rejected a two-state resolution, and its parliament voted overwhelmingly in February towards any unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Several European nations — Britain, France and Spain — have raised the opportunity of contemplating recognition.

In February, French President Emmanuel Macron stated such a transfer was not “taboo.”

A brand new draft Security Council decision written by France — now within the early phases of negotiations — raises the concept of “intent to welcome the State of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations,” based on a textual content seen by AFP.

In November 1947, the UN General Assembly voted to divide the British Mandate for Palestine into two states — one Jewish, one Arab.

But solely Israel was established on May 14, 1948, sparking a struggle between the brand new nation and a number of other Arab nations.

For Gowan, “the Palestinians know that they have a moment to push this issue now, which may fade away if there is a ceasefire and UN members focus on other issues.”