UNSC to Vote on Palestinian Resolution After Israeli Elections

Palestinian Ambassador to Russia said the UN Security Council would vote on the Palestinian resolution after the Israeli elections, which would be held on March 17.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The UN Security Council will vote on the Palestinian resolution after elections are held in Israel, Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Fayed Mustafa said Wednesday.

“This will most likely happen after the Israeli elections. Elections will be held on March 17, that is this won’t happen before the Israeli elections,” Mustafa said.

Mustafa added that it was advised that it would be best for the Palestinian Authority to raise the question before the UN Security Council after the elections.

On March 17, elections for the twentieth Knesset, the legislative branch of the Israeli Parliament, will be held in Israel. Israel is the main opponent of the establishment of a Palestinian State.

Palestinians seek the creation of an independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, partially occupied by Israel, as well as on the Gaza Strip. Palestinians have designated Jerusalem as its capital and called on Israel to withdraw from the Palestinian territories it took after the 1967 war.

Out of the 193 UN member states, 135 have recognized the State of Palestine, including Russia. Palestinian State President Mahmoud Abbas submitted the application to the UN Secretary General in 2011, hoping to gain membership in the organization. The UN Security Council still has to vote on it.