UN to vote on resolution to grant Palestine new rights and revive membership bid

Mahmoud Abbas addressing the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 (Picture: Julia Nikhinson/AP)

The UN General Assembly is expected to vote on Friday on a resolution that would grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine and call on the Security Council to favourably reconsider its request to become the 194th member of the United Nations.

The United States vetoed a widely backed council resolution on April 18 that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent, and US deputy ambassador Robert Wood made clear on Thursday the Biden administration is opposed to the assembly resolution.