US vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine

The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN Security Council's resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 in favor of Palestine, the United States opposed it and there were two abstentions, from the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

The strong support the Palestinians received reflects not only the growing number of countries recognizing their statehood but the global support for Palestinians facing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, now in its seventh month.