Turkey welcomes the UN vote in favor of a resolution supporting Palestine’s full membership application

Turkey welcomed the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of a resolution supporting Palestine's request for full membership in the United Nations. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: 'We welcome the decision of the United Nations General Assembly, which allows Palestine to participate in the work of the United Nations with broader rights and privileges.' It noted that the resolution once again demonstrated the strong support of the overwhelming majority in the international community for the right of the Palestinian people to obtain their state and the two-state solution. It called on the international community to "take concrete steps to stop Israel's brutality in Gaza" and "recognize the State of Palestine." Yesterday, Friday, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution supporting Palestine's request for full membership in the United Nations. 143 countries voted in favor of the resolution, 9 opposed it, and 25 countries abstained from voting, according to the UN website. The resolution, submitted by the Arab Group and a number of other countries, affirmed that the State of Palestine 'qualifies for membership in the United Nations in accordance with Article 4 of the United Nations Charter,' and 'should therefore be accepted as a member' of the organization. Turkey expressed "deep regret and concern" over the United States' use of its veto power in the United Nations Security Council on April 18. Although UN General Assembly resolutions are 'non-legally binding,' unlike UN Security Council resolutions, they reflect global opinion, and their significant political weight can influence the decisions of member states. Last month, the United States used its veto power in the Security Council against an Algerian draft resolution recommending that the General Assembly accept the State of Palestine as a member of the United Nations. Palestine enjoys the status of a 'non-member state' with observer status in the United Nations, and it obtained this status after a resolu tion adopted by the General Assembly by a large majority on November 29, 2012. Source: National Iraqi News Agency