Belgium to support Palestine's UN membership bid

Belgium will support the resolution to recognise Palestine as a full member of the United Nations, Foreign minister Hadja Lahbib said on Monday.

Lahbib said her country would support Palestine's bid for full membership during a meeting with Riyad al-Maliki, the special envoy of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.

"The vote will take place this week, on 10 May. It is important that the European Union does not miss this historic moment. Belgium wants to co-sponsor and support this resolution," said Lahbib. "We will not miss this appointment with history."

Palestine is currently a Permanent Observer State at the UN, meaning that it can participate in the proceedings but cannot vote on draft resolutions and decisions in its main organs and bodies.

During a Council meeting on 18 April, the US vetoed a draft resolution that would have recommended that the General Assembly hold a vote to grant Palestine full UN membership.

On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly discussed the failed membership bid. Riyad Mansour, permanent observer for the State of Palestine, said he would bring the matter to the General Assembly for consideration on 10 May.

^{Belgian Foreign minister Hadja Lahbib and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during a diplomatic meeting in Ramallah in March 2024 © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}