The United States has blocked Palestine's path to full membership as a state in the United Nations.
On Thursday (April 18), the country vetoed the resolution in the Security Council.
The draft resolution recommended to the 193-member UN General Assembly that Palestine be admitted as a full member of the United Nations. 12 of the 15 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution. The United Kingdom and Switzerland abstained from voting. Israel's close ally, the United States, provided the veto.
Regarding the veto, US Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood said the US continues to strongly support the Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution. The vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood. We want them to come to a solution through direct negotiations.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the US veto as unjust, immoral and unreasonable. In a statement, he said, the US veto defies the will of the international community.
Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz praised the United States for vetoing the proposal, saying it was a "shameful rejection". Terrorism will not be rewarded.
Although Palestine is not currently a member of the United Nations, in 2012 it gained observer status at the United Nations. Palestine has been trying for years to gain full membership of the United Nations.
However, their request must first be approved by the Security Council and then at least two-thirds of the UN General Assembly.
Palestine first applied for full membership in 2011. Palestine reapplied for membership earlier this month amid Israel's military campaign in Gaza.