CAIRO- In a bizarre turn of events, a senior Palestinian diplomat has announced that they will be appealing for full membership from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The move appears to be a big gamble, as the United States of America has already promised to veto the UN vote on Palestinian recognition. The Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Maiki announced on Thursday that the Palestinian Authority (PA) shall be submitting their request for full membership with the UNSC on September 23rd. In light of recent events and speculation, this move has removed all doubt as to the course of action the PA will be taking in regards to their status within the UN. Palestinian Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he will be travelling to New York City to address the UN General Assembly (GA) on September 21st. The USA has been very clear in their position in relation to the Palestinian bid. Proceeding through the UNSC would effectively guarantee that the Palestinian bid for full membership is vetoed. To pass the Palestinian statehood bid, the vote would have to pass with a majority of at least 9 out of 15 votes. Of the 15 members of the SC, the USA, Russia, China, Britain as well as France each hold a veto, allowing them to block any decision made regardless of the amount of votes passed in favour of the resolution. Originally, the Palestinian plan was to bring their bid before the GA. Their position within the GA was considered to be relatively secured, as the European Union (EU) was working on a deal to secure a majority of the 27 member states' votes, as well as the presence of large Muslim and African power bloc members. Within the GA the USA also does not hold a veto. The problem with the GA is that the resolutions that pass hold little power compared to the SC decrees and serve merely as a symbolic decree. According to the Palestinian President, 126 countries back the Palestinian bid, in effect strengthening their negotiating position with Israel. According to Ramallah officials, the representatives of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), the statehood campaign has reached a “point of no return.” “We are currently leaning towards going to the Security Council,” the PNA officials said. “We're not closing any doors, but we think it's too late for any new proposals.” Negotiations with EU delegates are still ongoing, in hopes of creating a draft that is acceptable for the Palestinians' UN appeal. All eyes are turned on the USA, who has previously already pledged their veto within the SC before the PA decided to go through the SC itself.
