(VOVWORLD) - The Palestinian delegation now has a seat at the UN General Assembly and can submit proposals and amendments.
 Riyad Mansour, Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
The UN General Assembly issued a resolution to grant the Palestinian delegation some new rights starting at the General Assembly’s 79th session on Tuesday. However, the UN still ruled out Palestine’s right to vote or become a member of the Security Council.
On Tuesday, Palestine's UN envoy Riyad Mansour sat at a table marked for the State of Palestine, between the representatives of Sri Lanka and Sudan. Egyptian Ambassador Osama Mahmoud Abdelkhalek Mahmoud said this is not just a procedural matter. This is a historic moment for the UNGA. Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN Jonathan Miller spoke out against the UNGA decision.
In May, a majority of the General Assembly affirmed that Palestine deserved full membership, but the US vetoed it.
Since the Gaza conflict broke out, the Palestinian Authority has resumed its bid for full UN membership in April. UN full membership requires not only a vote at the General Assembly but also a recommendation of the Security Council.