China News Service, United Nations, April 8 (Xinhua) The United Nations Security Council held a public meeting on the 8th to reconsider Palestine's application to become a full member of the United Nations.
On the same day, the Security Council held this public meeting after holding closed-door consultations on Palestine's application. At the meeting, the Security Council decided to submit relevant applications to the Committee for the Admission of New Member States for processing. The committee consists of 15 members of the Security Council. This will be the first time in 13 years that the committee will consider Palestine’s application for UN membership.
In September 2011, Palestine submitted a formal application to become a member of the United Nations to then United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, but it was not approved by the Security Council. On November 29, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution granting Palestine UN observer state status. This time, the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Guterres, requesting a reconsideration of Palestine’s application for membership in the United Nations in 2011.
According to the United Nations Charter, becoming a full member of the United Nations requires a recommendation by the Security Council and a decision by the United Nations General Assembly. Among them, the Security Council's decision requires the consent of at least nine Security Council members and no permanent member objection. Relevant criteria for consideration include whether the applicant is committed to peace and whether he or she is able and willing to fulfill the obligations contained in the United Nations Charter. After the Security Council makes a recommendation to the UN General Assembly, the UN General Assembly requires a two-thirds majority of member states to vote in favor before it can formally admit new member states.
It is understood that the Committee to Admit New Member States will continue to hold meetings on this issue on the 11th. After reaching its conclusions, the committee will report to the Security Council, which will then decide whether to make recommendations to the UN General Assembly. (over)