US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood votes against a resolution allowing Palestinian UN membership at United Nations headquarters in New York, on April 18, 2024, during a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East. Photo: VCG

On Thursday, the US vetoed a draft resolution in the UN Security Council on admitting Palestine as a full member of the UN. At the same time, there are two other things worth noting.

First, explosions occurred in Isfahan, a central province of Iran, on Friday. US officials later told the media that Israel launched the attack. The Middle East conflict carries the risk of escalating in a spiral.

Second, the US Congress is set to vote on the delayed US military aid to Ukraine and Israel on Saturday evening local time. "While both countries can capably defend their own sovereignty, they depend on American assistance, including weaponry, to do it. And this is a pivotal moment," wrote US President Joe Biden in a commentary published in The Wall Street Journal on April 17.

Putting all these pieces of news together, we can once again clearly see that the US has been pursuing its geopolitical strategy of hegemony in "designing peace" in the Middle East. The lives and safety of thousands of civilians in the Palestinian territories would be planned according to the needs of the US political process, which is not only a tragedy for peace in the Middle East, but also a display of contempt for international law by the US.

The peace between Palestine and Israel is not only about the future of the two countries, but also the security and stability of the entire Middle East and even the world. Palestine's application to become a full member of the UN is an important step in promoting the implementation of the "two-state solution." This is not only international recognition of Palestine's status as a state, but also an important way to promote its independence and exercise sovereignty. By becoming a full member of the UN, Palestine can more effectively defend its legitimate rights and play a greater role in promoting peace in the Middle East.

The establishment of an independent state has been the long-standing aspiration of generations of the Palestinian people, and becoming a full member of the UN is a crucial step in this inevitable process. In this vote, there were 12 in favor, one opposed from the US, and two abstentions from the UK and Switzerland. According to UN regulations, a draft resolution must have at least nine members in favor and not be vetoed by any of the five permanent members of the Security Council: China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US.

As an important organization of the international community, the UN's primary responsibility, through the Security Council, is to uphold international peace and security.

Its resolutions often reflect the common will of the international community and the general view on a particular issue. The admission of Palestine to the UN is an important step towards the "two-state solution." In the vote at the UN Security Council, only the US voted against it, indicating the widespread support of the international community for advancing the peace process between Israel and Palestine, and reflecting the arbitrary and selfish hegemony of the US.

The conflict between Palestine and Israel is a long-standing and extremely complex geopolitical issue, deeply rooted in territorial disputes, religious differences, nationalism, and major power games, among other factors. The "two-state solution" proposes the establishment of two independent states—Israel and Palestine—in the region to achieve peaceful coexistence between the two sides. Recognizing and accepting Palestine as a full member of the UN is the first step towards reaching a consensus on the "two-state solution," and a crucial one.

As early as 2011, Palestine submitted an application, which was shelved at the time due to opposition from certain countries. Thirteen years have passed, and the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza indicates that we can no longer wait. Accepting Palestine as a full member of the UN is more urgent than ever before.

History tells us that it is difficult to cultivate a peaceful environment in the Middle East, and achieving this can only be done through gradual efforts, not overnight. It is important to ensure that each step taken goes toward reducing tension, enhancing understanding, and promoting reconciliation, laying the foundation for the next step. Palestine becoming a full member of the UN is one such step.

Addressing this initial issue requires a multilateral, inclusive, and balanced approach. The international community should be committed to promoting dialogue, enhancing mutual trust, and finding a "long-distance path" that is acceptable to both sides. This not only requires political will but also creative diplomatic efforts and a deep understanding of the core concerns of the conflicting parties. It requires major powers, especially those with historical responsibilities, to set aside selfish interests and truly consider the well-being of the people in the Middle East in the peace process.

The question of whether Palestine is qualified to become a full member of the UN involves the authority of the UN and the fairness and legitimacy of the current international order. Certain major powers focus on acting according to their own strategic interests, using some geopolitical issues to seek to enhance their dominance. In fact, they have long placed the global order and peace on their chessboard.

But it should not be forgotten that lasting peace in the Middle East must be based on common interests and should be achieved through joint efforts. If peace is treated as a backyard to be trimmed, the trimmer will eventually become the destroyer of peace. This couldn't be clearer.