In a major diplomatic setback for the United States, 143 countries voted in favor of a United Nations (UN) resolution to grant additional rights to Palestinians, despite US opposition.
Nine countries, including the US and Israel, voted against the resolution, while 25 abstained. The resolution aims to allow Palestinians to submit their own resolutions and fully participate in UN and international conferences. Palestine has held observer-state status at the UN since 2012 and has been seeking full membership.
The resolution also recommended that the UN Security Council reconsider and support Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations. The US had previously blocked such a move last month.
US President Joe Biden has threatened to halt some weapons supplies to Israel over its offensive in the Gaza Strip, but has promised to continue providing defensive weapons. Biden has also expressed concern over the civilian casualties in Gaza.
The vote reflects growing international support for Palestinian rights and a potential shift in US policy towards the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
