The United States is reportedly exerting behind-the-scenes pressure on members of the UN Security Council to reject Palestine's bid for full membership in the international body. According to reports from The Intercept, the US is using "unclassified State Department cables" to discourage Council members from supporting Palestine's statehood.
The cables urge Security Council members not to endorse any resolutions recommending Palestine's admission as a UN member state. The US hopes that by rallying opposition among Council members, it can avoid using its veto power to block Palestine's bid.
Malta, the current rotating president of the Security Council, is among the countries being targeted by the US for opposition to Palestine's statehood. Ecuador has been asked to lobby Malta and other nations, including France, to oppose the recognition of Palestine.
The US's efforts come ahead of a potential vote on Palestine's statehood scheduled for April 18. Algeria, representing Arab nations on the Security Council, is expected to bring forth the resolution.
The US's push against Palestine's statehood comes at a time when international sympathy for Palestinians is growing, particularly in the wake of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands, including many women, according to UN reports.
Despite US opposition, there have been signs of increasing international support for Palestine's statehood. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong recently hinted at Australia's potential recognition of Palestine, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared Spain's readiness to recognize the Palestinian state. Ireland has also been vocal in advocating for Palestinian statehood, with Taoiseach Simon Harris supporting the Palestinians' rights.
The US's covert efforts to thwart Palestine's bid for UN membership have been met with criticism, especially as international support for Palestinian statehood grows. Critics argue that the US's opposition undermines the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people and hampers efforts to achieve a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The increasing sympathy for Palestinians, fueled by Israel's military actions in Gaza, has led several countries to consider recognizing Palestinian statehood. As momentum builds, the US's attempts to block Palestine's UN membership appear increasingly out of step with the international community's sentiments and aspirations for peace and justice in the region.
