Maldives Expresses Concern as US Blocks Palestine’s UN Membership Bid

Maldives has voiced disappointment following the United States’ decision to veto Palestine’s bid for entire United Nations (UN) membership during a vote held at the UN Security Council on Thursday; the US exercised its veto power and denied Palestine’s UN membership resolution despite widespread support, marking the second instance of such a blockage.

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer of Maldives conveyed the nation’s stance through a post on X, expressing solidarity with over 140 UN member states in endorsing the Palestinian cause and their pursuit of full UN membership.

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The UN must uphold principles of justice and equality for all, emphasized Minister Zameer.

The #Maldives is once again disheartened by the decision of the #UNSC to deny the application of #Palestine to become a full member of the #UN.

We stand with more than 140 UN Member States to support the Palestinian cause and their application to become a full member of the UN.…— Moosa Zameer (@MoosaZameer) April 19, 2024

Reiterating Maldives’ stance, Minister Zameer reaffirmed the call for a just and enduring resolution centred on the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine aligned with the pre-1967 borders.

Mohamed Naseer, Principal Secretary at the President’s Office on Foreign Affairs, conveyed Maldives’ official statement at the UN Security Council meeting.

Maldives’ statement urged UN members, particularly the Security Council’s permanent members, to extend their unequivocal support for Palestine’s full membership in the UN.

Furthermore, Maldives called upon the UN Security Council to enforce sanctions, including an arms embargo on Israel, citing violations of the Council’s charter on multiple occasions.

The timing of the vote coincides with more than six months of Israel’s military intervention in the embattled Palestinian territory. The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life, with nearly 34,000 Palestinians, including a high proportion of civilians, reported dead and over 76,770 individuals wounded.

The development underscores the ongoing complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, prompting renewed calls for diplomatic efforts to achieve a sustainable and equitable resolution.