UN Security Council to begin informal debate on Palestinian statehood

[Jefferson23]

Under UN rules, a new member state can be admitted only on the Security Council's recommendation

UN Security Council members will convene on Monday for informal consultations on the Palestinian Authority's application for admission to the United Nations as a full member state.

Under UN rules, a new member state can be admitted only on the Security Council's recommendation. If the council recommends acceptance, the General Assembly must then vote on whether to ratify the decision.

Currently, the council's five permanent members are split over the PA's request, so the consultations are not expected to lead to a formal vote anytime in the near future, UN sources said.

"It's highly likely that the consultations will continue for some weeks," said the deputy head of one Western mission to the United Nations. "The Palestinian application is considered an extremely sensitive issue, and in particular, it's a source of controversy between the council's two leading powers, the United States and Russia. Therefore, no quick decision that would produce an official debate and vote is expected."

remainder: http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/un-security-council-to-begin-informal-debate-on-palestinian-statehood-1.386686