Iran welcomes UN resolution to revive Palestine's membership bid

Iran's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani says Tehran welcomes a move by the UN General Assembly to endorse a resolution calling for the reconsideration of Palestine's UN membership bid.

The resolution, which was spearheaded by the United Arab Emirates (on behalf of the Arab Group), was adopted on Friday by overwhelming consensus with 143 member states voting in favor, 9 against and 25 abstentions.

"The admission of Palestine as a full member of the UN is a first step and a pivotal moment in addressing the historical injustices endured by the Palestinian people," Iravani said in an address to the General Assembly session on Friday.

Co-sponsored by Turkey along with nearly 80 member states, the resolution expressed "deep regret and concern" over the veto of the US at the UN Security Council on April 18.

UN General Assembly resolution urges fresh vote on Palestinian statehood

The UN General Assembly passes a resolution, urging the world body’s Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s request for full UN membership.

The Iranian diplomat added that Tehran acknowledges and supports the General Assembly's decision which represents a "modest yet crucial step" in fulfilling the international community's obligations toward the people of Palestine and restoring some of their inherent rights.

He emphasized that the resolution "rightly" underscored that Palestine is qualified to become a UN member by Article 4 of the world body's Charter.

The top Iranian diplomat reiterated Palestine's commitment to peace and its ability to fulfill the obligations under the UN Charter, saying, "Consequently, it deserves full membership in the United Nations."

"Conversely, the Israeli regime's actions disqualify and render this regime ineligible as a peace-loving entity capable of upholding the UN Charter's obligations," he emphasized.

Iravani added that the Tel Aviv regime consistently violates international law, the UN Charter and UN resolutions while it also refused to comply with the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The regime persists in egregious violations including massacres, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide, he noted.

He said mass graves discovered in Gaza "painted a harrowing picture of war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Israeli regime."

"These actions run counter to the fundamental values of the United Nations and all basic norms and principles of international law and threaten international peace and security," the Iranian ambassador pointed out.

Iran regrets the US obstruction of the draft press statement of the Security Council proposed by Algeria calling for an impartial, transparent, and international investigation to determine the facts behind the horrific crime of mass graves in Gaza, he said.

"This irresponsible behavior by a permanent member of the Security Council is unacceptable, reckless, and contradicts the international community's will," he added.

US vetoes Palestinian request for full UN membership

The United States predictably casts its veto against a bid by the Palestinian Authority for Palestine to be recognized as a full member of the United Nations.

He lashed out at the US, as a staunch supporter of the Israeli regime, for choosing once more to blind its eyes to this reality and make cynical efforts to hinder the realization of the noble aspiration of the Palestinian people for full membership.

"However, today's vote shows how the United States is isolated in its unconditional support of the Israeli regime," Iravani said.

He once again renewed Iran's firm stance on the importance of supporting the cause of Palestine and its people until they can realize their fundamental rights, in particular their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state with Al-Quds as its capital.

"Iran remains steadfast in advocating for the establishment of a sustainable ceasefire, recognizing it as an urgent, indispensable requirement for Gaza's well-being at this critical juncture," Iravani emphasized.

He explained that Iran's support for the resolution is without prejudice to the country's long-standing and constant principled position on issues related to Palestine and the non-recognition of the Israeli regime.

At least 34,943 people Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been killed and 78,572 people wounded in the war that Israel began on October 7, 2023 following a retaliatory operation by the Palestinian territory’s resistance movements.

The brutal military onslaught enjoys unreserved military and political support on the part of the Israeli regime’s Western allies, including the United States and France.

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