Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian representative to the United Nations, sent a formal letter this week to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres requesting a fresh review of Palestine’s status as a non-member observer state at the world body.
“I have the honor to request that this matter be reconsidered by the Security Council during April 2024,” the message stated, as published by the Palestinian mission at the UN on the X platform.
Palestine has held the status of non-member observer state since November 2012. The Palestinian Authority began the process to become a full member in September 2011, but the bid has remained dormant since.
If the Security Council recommends admitting Palestine — a decision that requires no veto — the initiative would move to the UN General Assembly for consideration. In the Assembly, approval would require a two-thirds majority to admit the new state.
The announcement comes amid an ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza, controlled by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Gaza authorities have reported that tens of thousands of Palestinians have died in the conflict, underscoring the human costs intertwined with diplomatic efforts at the United Nations.