A resolution calling on the Security Council to allow Palestinians full membership of the United Nations was supported by 143 of the 193 member states, despite strong opposition from Israel. The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, expressed his emotion at this historic vote in New York

The resolution, presented by the United Arab Emirates, recommends that the Security Council reconsider favourably the State of Palestine’s application for membership.

Among the member countries, France supported the resolution, thus publicly breaking with the position of the United States. Other countries, such as Australia, also changed their position in favour of Palestinian membership. This development angered Israel, which called on the United States to reduce its funding of the United Nations in response. US Republicans even proposed a bill to this effect, claiming that the UN was encouraging terrorism by recognising the Palestinian Authority.

Although symbolic, this vote testifies to the growing isolation of Israel and the growing support for Palestine on the international stage. Although the resolution does not grant Palestine full membership of the United Nations, it does grant additional rights and privileges to the Palestinians at the next session of the General Assembly. However, the original version of the resolution included giving the Palestinians the right to vote, but this provision was dropped to gain wider support. In response to the vote, the Israeli ambassador to the UN expressed his anger, saying it was tantamount to ‘shredding the UN Charter’.