U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed doubts on Wednesday regarding a U.N. resolution recommending the Palestinian Authority’s full U.N. membership, stating skepticism about its potential to facilitate a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Thomas-Greenfield’s remarks came during a news conference in Seoul, where she addressed questions about the U.S. stance on recognizing the Palestinian Authority’s bid for full U.N. membership.
She emphasized President Joe Biden‘s support for a two-state solution and ongoing efforts to advance it on the ground.
The Palestinian Authority is set to push for a Security Council vote on the draft resolution proposing full U.N. membership, possibly as soon as Thursday.
Thomas-Greenfield suggested that such a move might not advance the prospects of a two-state solution. A Security Council committee reviewing the application reported that it couldn’t reach a unanimous recommendation on whether the criteria were met.
Approval for full U.N. membership requires Security Council consent, where the U.S. wields veto power, followed by approval from at least two-thirds of the General Assembly.
Obstacles to Palestinian statehood include Israeli settlements and differing views on statehood criteria. While the Palestinian Authority governs parts of the West Bank, Hamas has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007.
