Latest news with #StateOfPalestine
Times of Oman
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Oman welcomes announcement of Canada, Malta on recognising Palestinian State
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has welcomed the announcement by the Prime Ministers of Canada and Malta regarding their countries' intent to recognise the State of Palestine. In a statement issued on Thursday by the Foreign Ministry, Oman commended this diplomatic development as a substantive and serious step toward upholding the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. The move reflects the international community's commitment to the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, advancing the goal of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Japan Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Could the Palestinians gain full membership at the United Nations?
Momentum seems to be building for more countries to recognize a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territory after France said last week it would do so in September. Britain said Tuesday it would follow suit at the U.N. General Assembly unless Israel takes steps to ease the Gaza Strip crisis and bring about peace. The Palestinian Authority, which represents the Palestinian people at the United Nations, where the delegation is officially known as the State of Palestine, is not a full member and has no vote in the 193-member General Assembly. Here are some details about the status of the Palestinians at the United Nations: What is the current status of the Palestinians at the U.N.? The Palestinians are a non-member, observer state at the United Nations — the same status as the Holy See (Vatican). The General Assembly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine in November 2012 by upgrading its observer status at the world body to "non-member state" from "entity." There were 138 votes in favor, nine against and 41 abstentions. What happened last year? In May 2024, the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a Palestinian bid to become a full member by recognizing it as qualified to join and recommending the U.N. Security Council "reconsider the matter favorably." That resolution also granted the Palestinians some additional rights and privileges from September 2024 — like a seat among the U.N. members in the assembly hall. The May vote by the General Assembly amounted to a global survey of support for the Palestinian cause to become a full member — a move that would effectively recognize a Palestinian state — after the United States vetoed the step in the Security Council in April 2024. The Palestinians remain a non-member observer state as the 15-member Security Council has not acted on the General Assembly recommendation. How does the United Nations admit new members? Countries seeking to join the United Nations usually present an application to the U.N. secretary-general, who sends it to the Security Council for an assessment and vote. A council committee of the 15 members first assesses an application to see if it satisfies the requirements for U.N. membership. The application can then either be shelved or put forward for a formal vote in the Security Council. Approval requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the U.S., Russia, France, China or Britain. If the council approves the membership request, it then moves to the General Assembly for approval. A membership request needs a two-thirds majority to be cleared by the assembly. A country cannot join the United Nations unless both the Security Council and General Assembly approve. What happened to the Palestinian application in 2011? A U.N. Security Council committee assessed the Palestinian application for several weeks to see if it satisfied requirements for U.N. membership. But the committee was unable to reach a unanimous position and the Security Council never formally voted on a resolution on Palestinian membership. Diplomats said the Palestinians lacked the minimum nine votes needed to adopt a resolution. Even if they had won enough support, the United States had said it would veto the move. What is the U.S. position? The United States, Israel's most powerful and influential ally, has said a Palestinian state can only be established through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The latest round of those negotiations broke down in 2014 and the process remains frozen, with prospects for revival dimmed further by the ongoing, devastating war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. Under U.S. law, Washington cannot fund any U.N. organization that grants full membership to any group that does not have the "internationally recognized attributes" of statehood. The United States cut funding in 2011 for the Paris-based U.N. cultural agency, UNESCO, after the Palestinians joined as a full member.
Al Bawaba
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Trump to halt trade deal with Canada over bid to recognize Palestine State
ALBAWABA - US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he will not be inking a trade deal with Canada after Ottawa's decision to recognize the State of Palestine earlier on Wednesday. He wrote: "Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh' Canada!!" So far, 16 countries, including France, Canada, and Australia, have issued a joint appeal urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, entry of humanitarian aid and calling for international recognition of the State of Palestine. The statement, published by the French Foreign Ministry, was also endorsed by Andorra, Canada, Australia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain.
National Post
a day ago
- Politics
- National Post
BREAKING: Mark Carney to officially recognize Palestinian state
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday that Canada will recognize a State of Palestine at the United Nations in September as he accused the Israeli government of failing to 'prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza.' Article content After meeting with his cabinet Wednesday, Carney told reporters that hoping for a two-state solution negotiated between the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, and Israel was 'no longer tenable' because of the war in Gaza. Article content Article content 'The deepening suffering of civilians leaves no room for delay in co-ordinated international action to support peace, security, and the dignity of all human life,' Carney said. Article content Article content 'The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable and is rapidly deteriorating,' he added. Article content Carney's announcement was immediately condemned by the Israeli embassy, which said it rewards the 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel that started the war in Gaza. Article content 'Let us be clear: Israel will not bow to the distorted campaign of international pressure against it. We will not sacrifice our very existence by permitting the imposition of a jihadist state on our ancestral homeland that seeks our annihilation,' said Ambassador Iddo Moed. Article content 'Recognizing a Palestinian state in the absence of accountable government, functioning institutions, or benevolent leadership, rewards and legitimizes the monstrous barbarity of Hamas on October 7, 2023 (the Hamas terrorist attack). It punishes Israeli and Palestinian victims of Hamas, vindicates Hamas' Western sympathizers fuelling antisemitism, and hardens Hamas' position at the negotiation table at a most critical time.' Article content Carney said the recognition would go to the Palestinian Authority and that Hamas is not welcome 'in any shape or form' in the process. He said he spoke earlier Wednesday to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who reiterated a commitment to fundamentally reform the Authority's governance, demilitarize the Palestinian state and hold general elections in 2026 that exclude Hamas. Article content Article content On Wednesday, the 22-member Arab League signed a declaration with the European Union and 17 other countries calling on the terrorist group Hamas to disarm and relinquish power in the Gaza Strip. Article content It is the first time that the league, which comprises Arab and Muslim states including Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, condemned Hamas since its 2023 attack on Israel. Article content The declaration that was signed at a UN conference hosted by Saudi Arabia and France on 'the peaceful settlement' of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of a two-state solution.
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
France, Canada and 14 countries urge joint recognition of Palestine and immediate Gaza ceasefire
Published July 30th, 2025 - 07:48 GMT The statement, published by the French Foreign Ministry, was also endorsed by Andorra, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain. ALBAWABA- In a coordinated diplomatic move, 16 countries, including France, Canada, and Australia, issued a joint appeal on Wednesday urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and calling for international recognition of the State of Palestine. Also Read UK to recognize Palestinian state by September The statement, published by the French Foreign Ministry, was also endorsed by Andorra, Canada, Australia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain. The joint declaration emphasized the urgency of halting hostilities in the Gaza Strip, demanding 'an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and remains, and unimpeded humanitarian access.' 'We have already recognized, expressed, or are expressing our readiness or positive outlook to recognize the State of Palestine as an essential step toward a two-state solution,' the statement read, calling on other nations to follow suit. It reaffirmed a commitment to 'two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.' The statement also underlined the necessity of reunifying Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority's governance as part of a broader effort to realize a sustainable peace. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reinforced the message in a post on X, writing: 'In New York, France and 14 other countries are making a collective appeal: We express our desire to recognize the State of Palestine and urge others to join us.' The announcement comes amid increasing international support for Palestinian statehood. Spain, Norway, and Ireland officially recognized Palestine on May 28, 2024, followed by Slovenia on June 5, bringing the total number of countries recognizing Palestine to 148 out of 193 UN member states. The only realistic, just & sustainable solution for peace in the Middle East is two States - Israel & Palestine - living side-by-side in peace & us, at long last, choose the path of peace.⁰Not as a concept, but as a commitment. ⁰Not as a dream, but as a reality.… — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 29, 2025 The statement was released in parallel with the Two-State Solution Conference, held in New York on July 28–29, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. High-level representatives from across the globe gathered to explore pathways to implement a two-state framework and advance global recognition of Palestinian statehood. In its final declaration, the conference, attended by Palestine and notably boycotted by the United States, called for Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza and the handover of the territory to the Palestinian Authority. It also urged full Palestinian membership in the United Nations and emphasized 'the urgent need to stop the war in Gaza, release all hostages and detainees, and end Israel's military presence in the enclave.' Since October 7, 2023, Israel has waged a devastating war on Gaza marked by large-scale destruction, famine, and mass displacement. Despite global outcry and binding orders from the International Court of Justice to cease hostilities, the offensive, backed by the United States, has left approximately 206,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them women and children. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
