In a session at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, the United States exercised its veto power, blocking a resolution that aimed to grant full membership to Palestine within the UN. This move comes after intense deliberations among Security Council members, with 12 nations voting in favor of the resolution and only the US casting a dissenting vote. Notably, the UK...
In a session at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, the United States exercised its veto power, blocking a resolution that aimed to grant full membership to Palestine within the UN. This move comes after intense deliberations among Security Council members, with 12 nations voting in favor of the resolution and only the US casting a dissenting vote. Notably, the UK and Switzerland chose to abstain from voting.
What Was the Purpose of the Security Council Session?
The session at the UNSC revolved around a resolution proposed by Algeria, which sought to grant full UN membership to Palestine. The outcome of the session would have had significant implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
Full membership in the UN confers a range of rights and responsibilities to a sovereign state within the international community.
- 1.Full UN members have the right to vote on resolutions and decisions put forth by the UN General Assembly. Each member state, regardless of size or population, has one vote.
- 2.Full members can actively participate in UN meetings, conferences, and other proceedings. They have the opportunity to engage in discussions and negotiations on a wide range of global issues, from peace and security to economic development and human rights.
- 3.Full UN members gain access to the specialized agencies, programs, and funds of the United Nations system. These include organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
What is the Veto Power?
The veto power refers to the authority granted to certain members of international organizations, notably the UNSC, to block or prevent the adoption of resolutions, decisions, or actions proposed by other members. In the UNSC, the five permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom - possess the veto power.
Any of the five permanent members can use their veto to block the adoption of a Security Council resolution, regardless of the level of support from other members. This means that even if a resolution receives overwhelming support from the majority of Security Council members, a single veto from a permanent member can prevent its passage.
Why Did the US Exercise Its Veto Power?
Washington provides Israel with extensive financial, military, and political support. This alliance is further strengthened by the US's providing substantial aid to Israel, totaling $158 billion since the end of World War II. Currently, Israel receives $3.8 billion annually in military aid from the US, constituting a significant portion of its defense budget.
The first time the U.S. used its veto to support Israel was in September of 1972, when it vetoed a resolution that called on Israel to cease its aggression in Lebanon. This was the second time the U.S. had ever used its Security Council veto; the first was on a resolution regarding Southern Rhodesia. After that, the U.S. used its veto to halt resolutions critical of Israel frequently. Between 1982 and 1990, the U.S. used its veto in support of Israel 21 times – nearly half of the U.S.'s total vetoes in support of Israel.
Since 2001, the U.S. has used its veto in support of Israel 17 times.