United Nations S/PV.

9609
Security Council Provisional
Seventy-ninth year

9609th meeting
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 5 p.m.
New York

President: Mrs. Frazier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Malta)

Members: Algeria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Bendjama

China. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Fu Cong
Ecuador. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. De La Gasca
France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Broadhurst Estival
Guyana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett
Japan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Uemura
Mozambique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Afonso
Republic of Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Sangjin Kim
Russian Federation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Nebenzia
Sierra Leone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Kanu
Slovenia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Žbogar
Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Baeriswyl
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland . . Dame Barbara Woodward
United States of America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Wood

Agenda
Admission of new members
Letter dated 3 April 2024 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President
of the Security Council (S/2024/286)

This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the translation of speeches delivered
in other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Records of the Security Council.
Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy
of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the
Verbatim Reporting Service, room AB-0928 (verbatimrecords@[Link]). Corrected records will be
reissued electronically on the Official Document System of the United Nations ([Link]

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S/PV.9609 Admission of new members 18/04/2024

The meeting was called to order at 5 p.m. Council this month; we truly value your hard work and
personal commitment.
Adoption of the agenda
On behalf of my country, Algeria, on behalf of the
The agenda was adopted. Group of Arab States, on behalf of the Organization
of Islamic Cooperation, on behalf of the Movement
Admission of new members of Non-Aligned Countries and on behalf of countless
other peace-loving countries, I stand before the highest
Letter dated 3 April 2024 from the
organ entrusted with the maintenance of international
Secretary-General addressed to the President
peace and security to introduce the draft resolution
of the Security Council (S/2024/286)
(S/2024/312) on the admission of the State of Palestine
The President: In accordance with rule 37 of the to the United Nations.
Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the
On 15 November 1988, my country, Algeria, was
representative of Israel to participate in this meeting. home to the declaration of the independence of the State
I propose that the Council invite the Permanent of Palestine. Today the call of history resounds once
Observer of the Observer State of Palestine to the United again, and it is my honour to put before the Council
Nations to participate in this meeting, in accordance the recommendation to admit the State of Palestine as a
with the provisional rules of procedure and previous full Member of the United Nations. It is a critical step
practice in this regard. towards rectifying a long-standing injustice. The late
Yasser Arafat, in his epic declaration proclaiming the
There being no objection, it is so decided. State of Palestine, lamented the exclusion of Palestinians
The Security Council will now begin its from the international community. He said,
consideration of the item on its agenda. “At a time when the contemporary world was
In a letter dated 2 April 2024 addressed to the formulating its new value system, the balance of
Secretary-General, the Permanent Observer of the local and global power excluded the Palestinians
Observer State of Palestine referred to the application from the common destiny”.
of the State of Palestine for membership in the United It became clear, once again, that justice alone does
Nations, contained in document S/2011/592, dated not move the wheel of history. And, of course, today
23 September 2011, and requested that renewed we are striving to answer Yasser Arafat’s call by urging
consideration be given to that application by the our colleagues in the Security Council to vote in favour
Security Council. The letter has been issued as of admitting Palestine. It is the least we could all do to
document S/2024/286. honour the debt — yes, the debt — we owe to its people.
The report of the Committee on the Admission of We say it loudly: the international community stands
New Members concerning the application of the State with Palestine. We remain steadfast in our commitment
of Palestine for admission to membership in the United to a peaceful, sovereign and independent Palestinian
Nations has been issued as document S/2024/313. State. That historical injustice must be addressed. The
scale of justice must be rebalanced.
Members of the Council have before them document
S/2024/312, which contains the text of a draft resolution We firmly believe that Palestine fulfils all United
submitted by Algeria. Nations membership criteria as defined by the founding
fathers in the Charter of the United Nations. We urge
The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the every Member to support the draft resolution. It is
draft resolution before it. time for Palestine to take its rightful place among
the community of nations. Seeking United Nations
I shall now give the floor to those members of the
membership is a fundamental expression of Palestinian
Council who wish to make statements before the voting.
self-determination. The admission strengthens, not
Mr. Bendjama (Algeria): Before I deliver my undermines, the two-State solution, a solution constantly
statement, I would like to express my gratitude to you, under threat from those who seek to erase Palestinian
Madam President, for organizing this meeting and for identity and Palestinian aspirations. Peace will come
your outstanding efforts in presiding over the Security from Palestine’s inclusion, not from its exclusion.

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While acknowledging the challenges — colonization, I shall now give the floor to those members of the
annexation, violence and the denial of Palestinian Council who wish to make statements after the voting.
rights — our response must be clear: admit Palestine,
Mr. Nebenzia (Russian Federation) (spoke in
as the first fundamental step towards peace. That
Russian): This day could have gone down in history
membership will definitely consecrate the two-State
as a day when, after three quarters of a century, the
solution that the occupying authorities continue openly
international community at last made the right choice on
to stand against. That membership will constitute a
the path towards correcting the many years of historical
rejection of their attempt to erase the Palestinian people injustice done to Palestine and the legitimate aspirations
and to destroy the Palestinian State and every prospect of its heroic people. Because it was essentially a simple
of peace. question — are the Palestinians worthy of being part
Let us welcome Palestine to the United Nations and, of the global family, fully participating in all of the
in doing so, relaunch a genuine peace process between decisions of international life? — a question to which
equals, paving the way for a lasting peace in the Middle we have repeatedly answered “yes” when Israel was
East. Failure to do so is again a denial by the Council welcomed into the United Nations and when dozens of
itself of its responsibilities. Failure to act is a serious States also were released from the colonial yoke and
and unforgivable mistake. Failure to wake up today is were welcomed into the United Nations.
licence for continued injustice and impunity. Failure However, our American colleagues believe
to do so is everlasting shame. The call for Palestinian differently. Having used their veto for the fifth time
freedom must be heeded. The call for a free Palestine since the beginning of the escalation in Gaza, they have
resonating across the globe must become a reality once again demonstrated what they really think of the
enjoyed by the Palestinian people. Palestinians. For Washington, they do not deserve to
I conclude with what the President of the Republic, have their own State; they are only a barrier on the path
Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, stated before the General towards realizing the interests of Israel.
Assembly last year. For that reason, the United States is ready, until
“The time has come for Palestine to become a full eternity, to turn a blind eye to the crimes of Israel against
Member of the United Nations, even though its the civilians in Gaza and ignore the illegal settlement
territory remains occupied. We will not abandon construction activity in West Jerusalem on the West
this cause. And we will not rest until the objective Bank. The aim is to break the Palestinians’ will, to force
is achieved.” them once and for all to submit to the occupying Power,
to turn them into servants and second-class persons and
The President: I shall now put to the vote the draft perhaps, once and for all, to exterminate them and force
resolution contained in document S/2024/312. them out of their native territory.

A vote was taken by a show of hands. That policy is only having the opposite impact
at present — an absolute majority of the global
In favour: community supports Palestine’s application to become
Algeria, China, Ecuador, France, Guyana, Japan, a full Member of the world Organization. The suffering
Malta, Mozambique, Republic of Korea, Russian of Palestinian civilians is resounding in the hearts
Federation, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and minds of millions of people around the world. In
Against: countries that supply weapons to West Jerusalem, there
are louder and louder voices calling for those supplies
United States
to be banned.
Abstaining:
Today’s use of the veto by the United States
Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
delegation is a hopeless attempt to stop the inevitable
Northern Ireland
course of history. The results of the voting, where
The President: The draft resolution received 12 Washington was practically in complete isolation, speak
votes in favour, 1 against and 2 abstentions. The draft for themselves. Playing into the hands of their ally and
resolution has not been adopted owing to the negative its most reckless actions and turning away from finding
vote of a permanent member of the Council. just solutions on the basis of existing international legal

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norms is a direct path towards further sliding into the exerting power and influence in Gaza, an integral
mire of war, which could encompass the entire region. part of the State envisioned in this draft resolution
(S/2024/312). For those reasons, the United States
Even if the United States and Israel benefit,
voted against this draft Security Council resolution.
it will only be for the short term. At the same time,
Again, the United States continues to strongly support
Washington will once and for all remove itself from the
a two-State solution. This vote does not reflect
list of peace-loving and respected States, having fully
opposition to Palestinian statehood, but instead is an
shared responsibility with its Israeli allies for the deaths
acknowledgement that it will only come from direct
of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians. That is not
negotiations between the parties.
worthy of a great Power, and history will not forgive
it for that. We call on the United States to listen to the A central focus of United States policy prior to
voice of reason, to think about the consequences of its the 7 October Hamas terrorist attacks was to promote
decisions and to immediately join in the efforts of the normalization between Israel and its Arab neighbours
other members of the Security Council to establish an and, as a critical element of a normalization package,
immediate ceasefire in Gaza. generate tangible benefits in a political horizon
for the Palestinian people. That was based on the
Mr. Wood (United States of America): The United judgment of the United States that normalization is
States has worked vigorously and with determination the most viable pathway to make progress on what
to support Palestinian statehood in the context had been an intractable situation between the Israelis
of a comprehensive peace agreement that would and the Palestinians. In the aftermath of 7 October,
permanently resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. conversations on potential normalization and a political
Since the attacks of 7 October, President Biden has horizon for the Palestinians that would lead to statehood
been clear in that sustainable peace in the region can and membership at the United Nations have continued.
be achieved only through a two-State solution, with Hamas and its Iranian backers would probably prefer
Israel’s security guaranteed. There is no other path that that that effort not succeed, but we are determined to
guarantees Israel’s security and future as a democratic see it through. It remains the view of the United States
Jewish state. There is no other path that guarantees that the most expeditious path towards statehood for
that Palestinians can live in peace and with dignity in a the Palestinian people is through direct negotiations
State of their own. And there is no other path that leads between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with
to regional integration between Israel and all its Arab the support of the United States and other partners.
neighbours, including Saudi Arabia. We believe that that approach can tangibly advance
We also have long been clear that premature actions Palestinian goals in a meaningful and enduring way.
here in New York, even with the best intentions, will We also believe, in the light of Iran’s unprecedented
not achieve statehood for the Palestinian people. As and outrageous actions over the past week, that Israel’s
members of the Security Council, we have a special neighbours would stand to benefit greatly from
responsibility to ensure that our actions further the normalization. The United States is committed to
cause of international peace and security and are intensifying its engagement — with the Palestinians and
consistent with the requirements of the Charter of the the rest of the region — not only to address the current
United Nations. As reflected in the report (S/2024/313) crisis in Gaza, but to advance a political settlement
of the Committee on the Admission of New Members, that will create a path to Palestinian statehood and
there was not unanimity among Committee members as membership in the United Nations.
to whether the applicant met the criteria for membership
The United States will continue to oppose unilateral
as set forth in Article 4 of the Charter of the United
measures that undermine the prospect of a two-State
Nations. For example, there are unresolved questions
solution. That includes any actions that violate the
as to whether the applicant meets the criteria to be
principles that Secretary Blinken has emphasized for
considered a State.
months: that Gaza cannot be a platform for terrorism,
We have long called on the Palestinian Authority that there should be no Israeli re-occupation of Gaza
to undertake necessary reforms to help establish the and that the size of Gaza’s territory should not be
attributes of readiness for statehood, and we note reduced. As we have said before, we believe that a two-
that Hamas — a terrorist organization — is currently State solution, coupled with those elements, is the best

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way to achieve a durable peace in the region, along with the Palestinian question, three of which I will highlight
security for Israelis and Palestinians. very briefly.
Mrs. Broadhurst Estival (France) (spoke in First, over those decades, Council members
French): France would like to thank Algeria for have, inter alia, acknowledged the need to address
submitting this draft resolution (S/2024/312), which it the various dimensions of the Palestinian question,
voted in favour of. consistently stressed the need for the Palestinian
people to exercise their right to self-determination and
It is time to achieve a global political settlement
emphasized the need for the realization of the two-State
of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on the basis of the
solution. However, while that shows that the Council
two-State solution — the only option that can meet the
has largely been sympathetic to the Palestinian cause,
long-term security needs of Israel and the legitimate
that sympathy has not generated enough political will
aspirations of Palestinians for a State. As the President to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to
of the Republic recalled, France is not shying away from the Palestinian question.
this issue. It is in that context that, upon the initiative
of Algeria, we are in favour of elevating the status of That takes me to my second point. The Council’s
Palestine in the United Nations and admitting it as a full historic sympathy for the Palestinian people has led to
Member. That admission must allow for the resumption many band-aid measures to address these symptoms
of a decisive and irreversible process to implement of the Palestinian question. We have not been able
the two-State solution and the strengthening of the to comprehensively address the root cause of the
Palestinian Authority in the Palestinian territories, problem, namely, the lengthy delay in the creation of an
both in Gaza and in the West Bank. The Palestinian independent State of Palestine. The draft resolution we
Authority must be able to effectively and efficiently voted on a moment ago was an important step towards
exercise its responsibilities across all the territories of addressing that gap, and Guyana deeply regrets that
a future Palestinian state. it was not adopted. Without getting to the root of the
problem, the symptoms will persist, and the reactive
The conflict in Gaza — triggered by the terrorist cycle will continue. The people of Palestine deserve a
attack by Hamas and other terrorist groups on clear political horizon and a path to a comprehensive
7 October, which we condemn in the strongest possible and just peace.
terms — shows how essential it is for the Security
Council to unequivocally commit to a political The third issue is the serious lack of accountability
solution to the conflict, while also strengthening its that has accompanied the Palestinian question from
humanitarian action. We therefore continue to demand 1948 to the present day. If the occupying Power
an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the immediate were held to account for its continuous violations of
and unconditional release of all hostages. international law, the path to a free and independent
Palestine would have been cleared a long time ago. The
Mrs. Rodrigues Birkett (Guyana): I wish to thank impunity must end.
the delegation of Algeria for putting forward the draft
resolution (S/2024/312) and for being fully transparent Guyana supports the State of Palestine’s full
from the very beginning about the approach it intended membership in the United Nations and believes that
to take. it has met all the requirements set out in Article 4 of
the Charter of the United Nations, which are the only
Thirteen years after the last request (see S/PV.6624), ones to be taken into consideration for the admission
today another call for justice was made by the Palestinian of a Member into the United Nations. We are therefore
people. But the Council’s response was not enough to deeply disappointed that the legitimate aspirations of
deliver that justice. Guyana raised its hand for justice the Palestinian people were not met today. Guyana
today because, for us, it was the right choice, and it had hoped that the Council’s historic sympathy and
was long overdue. The Palestinian question has been apparent empathy with the Palestinian cause could have
before the Council since 1947. From that time, there translated into strong political will this time around,
have been at least 792 formal meetings of the Council. given the existential threat Palestinians currently face.
An examination of those meeting records provided That notwithstanding, Guyana reaffirms its unwavering
some key revelations about the Council’s approach to commitment to continue working with the Council and

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the entire United Nations membership to secure justice negotiations between parties have been stalled. The
for the Palestinian people. To the Palestinian people, I Republic of Korea voted in favour of draft resolution
say that Guyana will never abandon it. We will continue S/2024/312, on the admission of Palestine into the United
to use our voice until justice is served. Nations, in consideration of our view that renewed and
strengthened efforts are needed to revitalize the path
Mr. Žbogar (Slovenia): Slovenia voted in favour
towards a two-State solution.
of the recommendation of the Security Council
for membership of the State of Palestine in the Regardless of today’s results on the draft resolution,
United Nations. we hope that the parties will soon resume negotiations
The two-State solution, where two democratic on the basis of dialogue and compromise for a peaceful
States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace, resolution of the Palestinian question. For that to
is the only long-term sustainable option. Slovenia happen, the catastrophic humanitarian situation in
continues calling for full respect of international law Gaza must end soon.
and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. At this point, We once again call for an immediate ceasefire in
we have two main objectives — addressing the current Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of all
situation in Gaza and resuming the political process hostages held by Hamas and other groups and expanded
towards a two-State solution. We are of the view that humanitarian aid throughout Gaza. All regional actors
the membership of the State of Palestine in the United should exercise full restraint to avert further dangerous
Nations could significantly support that process, which escalation in the region.
should address all outstanding issues, support the
State of Palestine and guarantee security for Israel. Against that backdrop, even though today’s draft
Membership in the United Nations is not an alternative resolution on the admission of Palestine was not
to negotiations, but complementary to them. We believe adopted, it is clear that all members of the Security
that the United Nations should play a crucial role in the Council share the view that the two-State solution
peace process. Both States should therefore have equal imperative is the most viable long-term resolution to
status at the United Nations. the Palestinian question and the best way, more broadly,
to reduce long-standing regional tensions.
Slovenia is of the view that Palestine meets the
criteria set out by Article 4 of the Charter of the United We note that our vote today does not constitute a
Nations. Granting United Nations membership to bilateral recognition of Palestine as a State. In future,
Palestine could be an important step towards peace. It we will consider this matter at a time that is most
would strengthen the role of the Palestinian Authority conducive to the resolution of the conflict. We also hope
and would contribute to the security of Israel, as well. that the negotiations between the parties can resume in
We maintain our view that Palestine’s right to self- the near future.
determination and United Nations membership are not Dame Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom):
contrary to Israel’s right to exist and be secure. We The United Kingdom reiterates its commitment to
believe that any two-State solution must be built on making progress towards a two-State solution in which
mutual recognition and sovereign equality. a safe and secure Israel lives alongside a sovereign,
Mr. Sangjin Kim (Republic of Korea): It was viable Palestinian State.
1949 when the Republic of Korea first applied for We agree that the people of the West Bank and Gaza
membership to the United Nations. However, it was must be given the political perspective of a credible
not until 1991 — 42 long years after its original route to a Palestinian State and a new future, and it
application — that the Republic of Korea was granted
needs to be irreversible. That is not entirely in our gift,
United Nations membership. We therefore truly
but our recognition of a Palestinian State should be part
understand what it means for people to aspire to be
of it. We believe that such recognition of Palestinian
admitted to this paramount international Organization.
statehood should not come at the start of a new process,
The Republic of Korea believes that the only viable but it does not have to be at the very end of it. We must
and sustainable way to resolve the Palestinian question start with fixing the immediate crisis in Gaza, which
and establish lasting peace is through the realization is occupied Palestinian territory and must be part of a
of the two-State solution. Yet, for several decades, future Palestinian State.

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However, Hamas is still in control of parts of Gaza, for political, economic and social initiatives towards
and Israeli hostages remain in captivity. That shows Palestinian State-building.
that we are still at the start of the process. Ensuring that
Our principled position was reflected in our vote in
Hamas is no longer in charge of Gaza and removing
favour of the 2012 General Assembly resolution 67/19,
the group’s capacity to launch attacks against Israel
which granted Palestine the status of non-member
are essential and unavoidable steps on the road to
observer State at the United Nations and expressed
lasting peace, as is working together to support the new
the hope that the Security Council would consider
Palestinian Government as it takes much-needed steps
favourably the application of Palestine for admission as
on reform and resumes governance in Gaza, as well as a full-fledged United Nations Member State.
the West Bank.
This is the first time since 2011 that the Security
We abstained in the voting on draft resolution Council has deliberated on Palestinian membership in
S/2024/312 today because we must keep our focus first, the United Nations. The intervening years have been
on securing an immediate pause in order to get aid in marked by little progress in direct negotiations between
and hostages out, and only then, on making progress the parties, whereas most recently we have witnessed
towards a sustainable ceasefire without a return to escalating regional conflict, which has caused
destruction, fighting and loss of life. untold suffering.
Our Foreign Secretary is in Israel and the occupied At this critical moment, Japan voted in favour of
Palestinian territories this week to offer our support today’s draft resolution S/2024/312 as a comprehensive
towards advancing that plan. We will continue to work decision, recognizing that Palestine meets the criteria for
urgently to help bring peace and galvanize a political admission to membership in the United Nations, while
process towards a two-State solution that provides also taking into account the perspective of promoting
justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. the establishment of a Palestinian State through
Mr. Uemura (Japan): Last month the Security peaceful negotiations between the parties concerned.
Council was finally able to adopt resolution 2728 (2024), Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French):
which demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in the Switzerland has abstained in the voting on draft
hopes of bringing about a real change on the ground. resolution S/2024/312. Without opposing it, we believe
However, a ceasefire has not been realized and the that at present, that step is not conducive to easing
humanitarian catastrophe is deepening. The people of the situation and finding a peaceful solution, given
Gaza are facing unprecedented tragedy and hardship. the great instability and the conflict on the ground.
Much of Gaza’s population lives in despair, with little We believe that it would be better to proceed with the
food and water and deprived of human dignity. admission of Palestine to the United Nations as a full
Member at a time when such a step could be in line with
In the meantime, serious diplomatic efforts are an emerging peace.
being made to bring about a cessation of hostilities
and the release of the hostages. We reiterate our strong However, this abstention in no way alters
support for the crucial role of the United States, Egypt Switzerland’s firm support for the two-State solution.
and Qatar to that end and appreciate their tireless efforts. We believe that only a negotiated solution in which two
States, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace
Once a sustainable ceasefire is in place, the and security, can lead to lasting peace between Israelis
formation of a reconstruction mechanism for Gaza, and Palestinians.
with the support of the international community, and
We have just discussed in detail the catastrophic
the establishment of effective governance by a reformed
situation in the Middle East. What is urgently needed
Palestinian Authority will be essential.
is the immediate implementation of Security Council
Japan has strongly upheld the Palestinian right to resolutions and a ceasefire. We must — and without
self-determination and consistently supported a two- further delay, if we are to restore people’s prospect
State solution in which Israel and a future independent of a peaceful future in which they can all live in
Palestinian State can live side by side in peace and dignity — re-establish a political horizon for a
security. For decades, we have provided robust support negotiated solution to the conflict.

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Switzerland stands ready to support efforts that to oppose Palestine’s full membership in the United
can rebuild hope for peace through a solution with two Nations, it would be better to simply say so, instead of
democratic States, living side by side in peace, within making excuses to re-victimize the Palestinian people.
safe and recognized borders, based on the borders
The establishment of an independent State is an
of 1967, including with Gaza as an integral part of a
inalienable national right for the Palestinian people.
Palestinian State.
It cannot be subject to questioning or bargaining. The
Mr. Fu Cong (China) (spoke in Chinese): Today relevant countries make direct negotiations between
is a sad day. Owing to the veto by the United States, Palestine and Israel a prerequisite, claiming that
the application of Palestine for full membership in the Palestine’s membership in the United Nations can be
United Nations has been rejected, and the decades- the result only of negotiations. That is putting the cart
long dream of the Palestinian people ruthlessly before the horse. Israel’s rejection of the two-State
dashed. China finds the decision by the United States solution is exceedingly clear. Against that backdrop,
most disappointing. the admission of the State of Palestine as a full Member
of the United Nations would allow Palestine to enjoy
An independent State of Palestine has been a long- equal status with Israel and would help to create the
cherished dream of generations of Palestinian people. conditions for the resumption of negotiations between
Its full membership in the United Nations is a crucial the two sides. All countries that genuinely support
step in that historical direction and process. As early the two-State solution should not stand in the way of
as 2011, Palestine submitted an application. Owing to Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations.
some countries’ opposition, the Council’s action at that
time was put on hold. Thirteen years is long enough. The wheel of history is rolling forward. The trend
And yet, we still hear some complaints asserting that of the times cannot be countered. We are convinced that
there is not enough time, and there is no need to rush the day will come when the State of Palestine will enjoy
to take action. Those claims are disingenuous. The the same rights as other Member States of the United
admission of Palestine as a full Member of the United Nations, that the two States of Palestine and Israel will
Nations is more urgent now than ever before. be able to live side by side in peace as neighbours,
with the two peoples, Palestinians or Israelis, living in
The relevant countries’ premise that they are not tranquillity and happiness. China will continue to make
able to support Palestine’s membership in the United unremitting efforts and play a constructive role for the
Nations is on the grounds that the State of Palestine early realization of that day.
does not have the capacity to govern. We do not agree
with that assessment. Over the past 13 years, the Mr. De La Gasca (Ecuador) (spoke in Spanish):
situation in Palestine has changed in many ways, the Historically, Ecuador has supported the Palestinian
most fundamental of which has been the expansion of people in their legitimate right to have a State free
settlements in the West Bank. Palestine’s survival space from foreign occupation and has supported the
as a State has been steadily squeezed, and the foundation processes leading to their self-determination and full
of the two-State solution has been continuously eroded. independence, in accordance with the fundamental
The relevant countries have ignored that and adopted an principles of international law and the Charter of the
attitude of acquiescence or even connivance. And now United Nations.
they are questioning Palestine’s capacity to govern. On 24 December 2010, Ecuador recognized
That is gangster logic, which confuses right and wrong. Palestine as a free and independent State within
What is even more unacceptable is that some the 1967 borders. Subsequently, in 2012, Ecuador
co-sponsored and voted in favour of resolution 67/19
countries are challenging Palestine’s eligibility for
in which the General Assembly granted observer
membership in the United Nations under the Charter of
State status to Palestine. And since 2014, Ecuador has
the United Nations, implying that there still remains a
maintained an embassy in Ramallah, Palestine, and
question as to whether Palestine is peace-loving. Such
Palestine maintains an embassy in Quito.
an allegation is outrageous and a step too far. For the
Palestinian people, who are suffering under occupation, Today once again, the vote of Ecuador demonstrated
that is tantamount to rubbing salt in their wounds and its commitment to the people of Palestine, reaffirming
extremely insulting. If it is out of a political calculation its recognition from 14 years ago. My country hopes

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that soon the conditions will be in place that will allow of the United Nations and the relevant resolutions of
the Council, unanimously, to recommend the admission the Security Council and the General Assembly. In
of Palestine as a full Member of the United Nations. particular, that is fully in line with resolution 242
(1967), which was unanimously adopted by the Council
Mr. Afonso (Mozambique): Mozambique
on 22 November 1967.
commends the presidency of Malta for convening this
meeting to take action on historic draft resolution Those are the reasons why Mozambique voted in
S/2024/312, on the admission of the State of Palestine favour of the draft resolution.
to the United Nations. We extend our deep appreciation
Mr. Kanu (Sierra Leone): We thank you, Madam
to Algeria and the entire Group of Arab States for their
President, for convening this meeting, and we commend
leadership in submitting this text to the Council.
the presidency of Malta for the manner in which it has
On 12 August 1988, the Republic of Mozambique conducted the work of the Committee on the Admission
formally recognized the State of Palestine as an of New Members and the Security Council on the
independent and sovereign State. We did so because important application for admission to membership of
of our deep belief that peoples are born with the the United Nations by the State of Palestine. I also thank
inherent right to self-determination, independence Algeria for submitting the draft resolution (S/2024/312)
and sovereignty. That right is deeply anchored in the and for their leadership in the Council regarding the
Charter of the United Nations, in the principles and plight and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
norms of international law and in the natural law itself.
In the high-level open debate on “The situation in
It is a right that does not depend on a plebiscite or
the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”
referendum or, for that matter, on the judgment of other
, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International
alien peoples or Governments. It is therefore on that
Cooperation of Sierra Leone this morning elaborated
basis that we, Mozambique, as many other nations in
on our position on the issue (see S/PV.9608) — that is,
the world, were born and entered the concert of nations.
in the context of the request for the admission of the
We were admitted into the United Nations family in
State of Palestine as a Member of the United Nations 13
September 1975, after a protracted 10-year struggle
years after Palestine’s application was first considered
for liberation.
by the Committee on the Admission of New Members.
We wish to recall that, as of today, 18 April, 140 Sierra Leone itself recognizes the basis for such a
United Nations Member States have extended their request, which, in our view, is legitimate and could
recognition to the State of Palestine. That quasi- create the pathway to a political horizon founded on the
universal recognition is a testament that Palestine principles of the two-State solution based on General
fulfils the requirements of statehood, which include a Assembly resolution 181 (II), which recommends an
population, territory and Government and the capacity independent Arab and an independent Jewish State in
to engage in relations with other States. line with Article 4 of the Charter of the United Nations.
We consider that the conditions are ripe for Sierra Leone supported and voted in favour of the
Palestine to be a full Member of the United Nations. draft resolution for the State of Palestine to be admitted
Under Article 4 of the Charter and on the basis of our as a Member of the United Nations. Our support was in
record since 1988, Palestine is clearly a peace-loving line with, and within the context of, our consideration
nation. Throughout the years, it has demonstrated its of Article 4 of the Charter and the guidance provided by
acceptance of the obligations contained in the Charter, the International Court of Justice on its advisory opinion
and it has shown the ability and willingness to carry out on the conditions of admission of a State to membership
those obligations. in the United Nations, issued on 28 May 1948.
We wish to state that Mozambique entertains We regret that the draft resolution was not
diplomatic relations with the State of Israel. That is the adopted. We are of the firm view that membership
foundation on which we embrace the vision of a two- would have resonated with the principle of equality
State solution, of two independent and sovereign States, of States as enshrined in the Charter and certainly
Israel and Palestine, both as full Members of the United would have strengthened the two-State solution, with
Nations, coexisting as good neighbours, living side by an independent Arab State and an independent Jewish
side in peace and security, as prescribed by the Charter State living side by side in peace, security and stability.

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The State of Palestine’s membership at the United We deeply regret that, following today’s veto, that
Nations may have been delayed, as often happens in legitimate aspiration has not been realized. However,
regrettable periods of injustice. But as the arc of the we must not lose sight of its validity. The realization
moral universe, which may be long but bends towards of the two-State solution, along with efforts to promote
justice, the United Nations membership for the State of sustainable solutions to the ongoing conflicts in the
Palestine cannot be denied. region, remains the only realistic foundation for
sustainable peace and stability in the Middle East. It
Mr. Bendjama (Algeria): Again, on behalf is our collective responsibility to explore all possible
of the Group of Arab States, the Organization of paths towards that just realization.
Islamic Cooperation, the Movement of Non-Aligned
Countries and all peace-loving Member States, I am I resume my functions as President of the Council.
deeply grateful to all those who voted in favour of I now give the floor to the Permanent Observer of
the draft resolution we submitted (S/2024/312). The the Observer State of Palestine.
overwhelming support for the application of the State
of Palestine sends a crystal-clear message: the State Mr. Mansour (Palestine) (spoke in Arabic):
of Palestine deserves its rightful place among the Our right to self-determination has never once been
Members of the United Nations. subject to bargaining or negotiation. Our right to self-
determination is a natural right, a historic right, a legal
To those who were unable to support the admission right, a right to live in our homeland, Palestine, as an
of the State of Palestine today, we really hope that independent State that is free and sovereign.
they will have to do so next time, when the Security
Our right to self-determination is inalienable.
Council will reconsider the question of the admission
It is not tied to a time or a time frame. Our right is
of Palestine again. Yes, we will return, stronger and
eternal, permanent and continuous. It cannot be
more vocal, and we will be backed by the overwhelming
delayed, it cannot be suspended, and it has no statute of
majority of the General Assembly.
limitations. It is important that our right is not subject
As President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria has to manipulation, domination or conditions, especially
said, Algeria’s efforts will not cease until the State of by Israel, the occupying Power, the ethnic cleansing
Palestine becomes a full Member of the United Nations. Power, the genocidal Power, the colonial Power that is
determined to evict our people from their homeland, to
The President: I shall now make a statement in my
eliminate their identity, to replace their history and their
capacity as the representative of Malta. culture, to uproot their present and their civilization
In voting today for the admission of Palestine as a and to besiege their future and their horizons.
Member of the United Nations, Malta made a clear choice. The people of Palestine will not disappear. We will
We voted in favour of the two-State solution. We have not disappear. The people of Palestine are a historical
voted in favour of an idea that has enjoyed the support fact that cannot be erased, no matter how strong and
of the vast majority of the international community for powerful the occupying Power is. The great Palestinian
decades. United Nations membership is a necessary people have remained on their land not because of
step for the Palestinians to achieve equal footing with the charity or mercy of Israel but out of patience,
the rest of the international community. steadfastness, hope and sacrifice despite occupation,
The request for United Nations membership comes oppression, enslavement and being besieged,
at a difficult juncture. The unprecedented turmoil that persecuted, displaced, evicted and seeking refuge.
has followed the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is pushing We have repeatedly warned of Israel’s colonial
the Palestinian people to a hopeless precipice. Malta has policy in our land, which it not only declares openly
been unequivocal in that an immediate and permanent but now boasts about. We have also warned of the
ceasefire is necessary to allow the necessary space for absence of a horizon for a solution. We have warned
peace and to put a stop to further civilian suffering. of the dangers of ignoring the Palestinian question and
Concrete efforts must also be made to bolster the its centrality, of ignoring the growing suffering of the
Palestinian Authority towards governance over a Palestinian people. We have warned of the dangers
unified West Bank and Gaza Strip. of claiming that a just peace is possible in our region

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without a just, comprehensive and lasting resolution to be committed to that peaceful track, and we reiterate
the Palestinian question. our call for an international peace conference to be
held under multilateral international sponsorship,
We come to the Security Council today at
an important historic moment, regionally and a conference that aims to put an end to the Israeli
internationally, so that the Council would salvage occupation and achieve the independence of the State
what can be saved. We place Council members before of Palestine.
a historic responsibility to establish the foundations However the question remains: is there a true
of a just and comprehensive peace in our region. They partner for peace in Israel? Is there a partner in peace
have an opportunity to revive hope that has been lost with us in Israel? Israel insists, through its consecutive
among our peoples. Members have the opportunity to Governments, on maintaining occupation, on murder,
implement their commitment towards the two-State on siege, on the eviction of people and on building
solution along the 1967 borders by taking actual action, settlements. Those are all policies and practices that
firm action that cannot be manoeuvred or retracted. run counter to the Charter and to the resolutions of
The majority of the Security Council members the United Nations and are aimed at achieving just
have risen to the level of this historic moment, and they one objective — namely, to snuff out any hope of a
have stood on the side of justice, freedom and hope in sovereign and viable Palestinian State.
line with the ethical, humanitarian and legal principles
Israel believes that the State of Palestine is a
that must govern our world and in line with logic.
permanent strategic threat to it and will do its best
In that regard, we reiterate our sincere gratitude to block the sovereignty of a Palestinian State and to
to sisterly Algeria, to the Arab and Islamic groups, to ensure that the Palestinian people are exiled, away
the States members of the Non-Aligned Movement and from their land, or remain under its occupation forever.
to the Maltese presidency of the Council, a dedicated
presidency that has managed the proceedings of our It is now up to the Council members to determine
Council wisely and efficiently. We express our gratitude who loves peace and who is the enemy of peace, who
to all those who supported the request for Palestinian wants to save innocent lives and who seeks to commit
membership and all those who voted in favour of the genocide. Israel does not want a two-State solution. It
draft resolution (S/2024/312). does not want a Palestinian State. That is Israel’s plot,
agreed to by the Knesset and openly declared by its
(spoke in English) members and its representatives in the Council and
I was moved by all the statements by members, everywhere within and outside the United Nations.
those who voted in favour and even those who voted That is the plot that Israeli politicians and Israeli
differently, and by the passion contained in their Government officials proclaim. Netanyahu boasted of
commitment and understanding of the pain and the that plot as a political accomplishment in preventing “the
moment of the Palestinian people. I salute them in the establishment of the State of Palestine”. He announced
name of the Palestinian people and their leadership. it in his delusional map, which he exhibited before the
(spoke in Arabic) General Assembly last September (see A/78/PV.10) — a
map of an Israel that stretches from the river to the sea,
We accepted the two-State solution along the negating the existence of Palestine. That is the plot of
1967 borders as an international vision of peace. his extremist Government — to get rid of Palestine and
Arab States had put forth the Arab Peace Initiative the Palestinians. That is delusional, but, regrettably, we
to support that vision. We built our State with the have seen how costly that delusion has been in terms of
efforts of our daughters and sons and with the support innocent lives.
and trust of the international community, despite the
impediments and obstacles by Israel. We have engaged Does the Council know what Israel needs to carry
in the peace process in a manner that would secure out that delusional plot, the plot to expel the people
our supreme national interests, and we have abided and annex the land? All it needs is more time, more
by the foundations of a peaceful and legal settlement immunity, more lives and more blood. What is the
to the conflict. The Palestinian leadership, under the international community going to do about it? What is
presidency of President Mahmoud Abbas, continues to the Security Council going to do about it, given that

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it is responsible for maintaining international peace of any Member State, and neither does it threaten or
and security? negate the membership of any other Member.
(spoke in English) (spoke in English)
What is the Council going to do about it? What is it We just want to be equal to all other Members. We do
willing to do? not want to replace anyone. We want to enter the club
as equals.
(spoke in Arabic)
(spoke in Arabic)
Will it give Israel the time it needs to annex
Palestinian land? Will the Council give Israel the The Council’s support for granting the State of
immunity to expel and kill the people? Will it give Palestine full membership places us on the path of hope.
Israel weapons so that it can claim more lives? Will (spoke in English)
the Council give Israel the veto power over our right
to exist on our own land and over the right of the State It allows us not to lose hope, to keep hope alive.
of Palestine to be a full Member of the United Nations? (spoke in Arabic)
The membership of the State of Palestine in the United
Nations is not symbolic; rather, it is of the utmost The failure to adopt the draft resolution will not break
importance to the Palestinians and to the peoples of the our will, dissuade us or defeat our resolve. The State
region at this critical juncture. It is a step that has been of Palestine is inevitable. It exists. Some may see it as
awaited since 1947. far off, and we see it as imminent, and we are honest
about that.
(spoke in English)
We are the ones who endure oppression and
Some waited from 1949 until 1992. We have been injustice, and we are the most aware of the goals of that
waiting since 1947, and we are in 2024. unjust occupation — because we are the ones living
(spoke in Arabic) it — and the most aware of the just solution, and we tell
the Council that the time for freedom is now.
It is a necessary step towards redressing the
historical injustice done to the Palestinian people (spoke in English)
since the partition decision, through the Nakba, to our It is the time for freedom. It is the time for a free Palestine.
present day. It is a necessary step to restore faith in
international legitimacy and international law and in (spoke in Arabic)
this Organization and its Charter, as well as to restore Remember that, after this meeting ends, there are
hope in the peaceful settlement of the conflict. It is innocent people in Palestine who are paying with their
one embodiment of our right to self-determination. It lives and the lives of their children the price of the
enshrines the legitimacy of the State of Palestine in a Israeli occupation’s arrogance — the price of double
manner that cannot be reneged upon by any party, to standards, of the blind bias in favour of Israel and of
protect and preserve the land of the State of Palestine deferring justice, freedom and peace.
from being handed over like a gift or divided up like
Our Palestinian people have endured all kinds of
leftovers, as has already happened.
unbearable abuse at the hands of the Israeli occupier. It
The membership of the State of Palestine in the has now become clearer than ever before that this great
United Nations is an investment in peace. people have not given up and will not give up their right
to their land. Despite the horror of the tragedies, the
(spoke in English)
bitterness of loss and the magnitude of the destruction
If the Council wants to invest in peace, admit us to and displacement, our Palestinian people have not
membership. It is an investment in peace. lost their humanity, as our Palestinian people are now
searching for the remnants of life, and there is no one
(spoke in Arabic)
anywhere more eager to live a normal life than our
It is also a starting point for peace. Our full membership people in Gaza — Gaza the glorious, Gaza the great.
in the United Nations does not diminish the rights Rather, all our Palestinian people everywhere want and

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cling to life, like all the peoples of the earth — a people Palestinian leader will say that he recognizes Israel’s
who yearn for freedom, a decent life and a peaceful right to exist as a Jewish State. Peace-loving indeed!
life. Our Palestinian people will not disappear or fade Hamas was not mentioned here today. That is not
away, and they have never been redundant. One way or a coincidence since the Palestinian representative here
another, the Council must deal with our people fairly. does not represent Hamas. He does not represent at least
(spoke in English) half of the Palestinian people. Yet, regardless of the
Palestinians’ failure to meet the necessary criteria for
We will not disappear. We love life. We love to United Nations membership, most Council members,
live in freedom and dignity in our national homeland. sadly, decided to reward Palestinian terror with a
We will not disappear. Either the Council deals with Palestinian State. That is very sad because their vote
us with fairness and gives us our rights — or gives us will only further embolden Palestinian rejectionism
our rights. and make peace almost impossible. Please remember
that the next time the Palestinians reject another peace
The President: I now give the floor to the plan or refuse to even come to the negotiating table.
representative of Israel.
I have represented Israel at the United Nations
Mr. Erdan (Israel): I wish to begin by thanking for over three years and have taken part in dozens of
the United States and, particularly, President Biden, meetings in the Council. Since the 7 October massacre,
for standing up for truth and morality in the face of I have been here on a near-weekly basis, sometimes
hypocrisy and politics. daily. I have repeated the same arguments in every
I sat here mere hours ago describing why draft debate — I have plead and convinced, or at least tried to
convince. I have brought testimonies, presented photos
resolution S/2024/312 is destructive. I explained how
and shown video footage.
the Palestinian Authority does not meet even the basic
criteria, that it has no authority over its territory and Nevertheless, the Council has refused to even
that it is a terror-supporting entity. How can one say, condemn. It has refused to listen; it has refused to act.
in seriousness, that the Palestinians are peace-loving? It has even refused to check the facts. Today I will
How? The Palestinians are paying terrorists to slaughter therefore not try to fix what is already broken. Speaking
us. None of their leaders condemn terrorism nor the to the Council is like speaking to a brick wall. I pray
7 October massacre. They call Hamas their brothers. that the day will come when the Council understands
The Palestinian representative called Hamas his the magnitude of the mistake that it is making here. I
pray that it will understand before it is too late.
brothers after the massacre. They do not even recognize
Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State. Not even one The meeting rose at 6.25 p.m.

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