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The Palestinian Authority is making a renewed push for full membership at the UN, a move Israel's top ally, the US, opposes in its current form.
In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week, Palestine’s envoy Riyad Mansour said Palestinian leaders had asked him to resubmit an application to become a full member state. The original request dates back to 2011.
The League of Arab States, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement wrote to Mr Guterres to support the bid.
“We wish to bring to your attention that, as of this date, 140 member states have recognised the state of Palestine,” said the joint letter, including a list of those countries.
If Palestine is recognised as a full member state, it will be able to engage in all UN processes, such as voting in the General Assembly and running for a seat on the Security Council.
It also would have obligations to fulfil, including financial contributions and abiding by the laws of the UN Charter.
“Importantly, this would also be a very symbolic step of international recognition for full Palestinian sovereignty,” Maya Ungar, UN analyst at the International Crisis Group, told The National.
What is the process for joining the UN?
The admission of new UN members is decided by the General Assembly but only if the Security Council first recommends an application.
No admission of a new member has been vetoed since 1976, when the US blocked Vietnam from joining. The South-East Asian nation joined the following year.
In September 2011, the PA failed to win UN recognition as an independent member state.
Riyad Mansour optimistic about Palestine becoming full member of UN – video
A year later, the UN decided the PA’s “non-member observer entity” status would be changed to “non-member observer state”, the same as the Vatican.
A membership request needs a two-thirds majority to be approved. A country cannot join the world body unless the Security Council and General Assembly approve.
To win the council's approval, the Palestinians would have to secure nine votes from the 15 members and no veto from any of the five permanent members: Britain, France, China, Russia and the US.
Seven of the council’s 15 current members recognise the state of Palestine – China, Russia, Ecuador, Mozambique, Algeria, Guyana and Sierra Leone.
What is the US position?
Crucial to Palestine's application is the position of the US, which holds a veto on the Security Council and can block Palestine's move.
Deputy US ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, on Monday said the issue of full Palestinian membership is a “decision that should be negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians”.
“It was a final status issue under [the Oslo Accords]. They need to work out an agreement and that's how full membership should come about.”
This suggests Palestine's current bid has no chance of being approved in its current form.
What happens if Palestine becomes a full member?
Full membership at the UN would have some consequences, Ms Ungar notes.
In addition to the responsibilities, opportunities and the increased legitimacy for their sovereignty, full membership would result in the US cutting the PA off from its Economic Support Fund.
“In last month's $1.2 trillion US Congressional funding bill, a clause was made to say that the PA would not be able to receive any money from this fund if they obtain full UN membership,” she said.
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The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
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A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
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2012-2015
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May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
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SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
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LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
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