Prelude:
U.S. Scrambles to Avert Palestinian Vote at U.N.
U.S. Campaigns to Avoid Vote on Palestinian Statehood, Report Says
The Vote:
The United Nations General Assembly has voted in favour of upgrading the Palestinians status to that of a non-member observer state.
The vote was taken at a meeting of the body in New York, with 138 countries voting in favour of the upgrade. Nine countries voted against it, and 41 others abstained.
(Read more)
Reaction:
Shortly after the vote, the United States Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice said this resolution was “unfortunate and counterproductive.”
“Progress toward a lasting peace cannot be made by pressing a green button,” Rice said.
She also made clear that the resolution “does not establish a Palestinian state.” (Read more)