Palestine pushes for full UN membership, urges African support amid genocide accusations against Israel - MyJoyOnline (2025)

Palestine is preparing to submit a fresh request for full membership at the United Nations.

The renewed effort is part of an international campaign to secure greater recognition and protection amid what Palestinian officials describe as Israel's escalating aggression in Gaza and the West Bank.

Speaking to a young African journalists in Cairo, Palestinian Ambassador to Egypt, Diab Allouh, said that despite widespread global recognition - nearly 150 countries acknowledge Palestine as a state - full UN membership has remained elusive due to repeated vetoes by the United States at the Security Council.

"We have signed over 110 international agreements. We want to live in peace, dignity, and security on our land. Africa understands this aspiration because it has lived through similar struggles.

"We are appealing to African governments to back our renewed membership bid - not just politically, but morally."

His call for solidarity comes at a time of mounting legal and diplomatic pressure on Israel. South Africa has initiated proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

The case, filed under the Genocide Convention, has drawn global attention and could have far-reaching implications if it proceeds.

Additionally, a formal request is under consideration for an arrest warrant to be issued against Israel’s President on charges of genocide.

However, Ambassador Allouh acknowledged a major obstacle: the ICJ does not have a police force or enforcement body of its own. It must rely on the United Nations Security Council to enforce such rulings, and the U.S., a permanent member of the Council, holds veto power that could stall or block implementation.

"The legal mechanisms are in place, but justice is being obstructed by political interests. That is why African solidarity is critical - because we know that without collective action, international law remains an illusion for the oppressed," the diplomat stated.

He described the situation in Gaza as a humanitarian catastrophe, accusing Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure including hospitals, schools, and water systems.

As of April 17, 2025, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains catastrophic. At least 51,025 Palestinians have been killed and more than 160,000 wounded since the conflict began in October 2023.

Around 90% of Gaza’s population - approximately 1.9 million people - have been displaced, with 500,000 newly displaced since the collapse of a ceasefire on March 18, 2025.

The healthcare system is on the verge of collapse, facing severe shortages of medical supplies, fuel, and essential services, while access to food, clean water, and shelter remains critically limited.

Ambassador Allouh criticised what he called "Western double standards" on human rights and territorial integrity.

"When Russia invaded Ukraine, the world mobilised. Billions of dollars flowed to defend one people's right to resist occupation. But when it comes to Palestine, the same principles are ignored.

"It is about giving legal weight to our existence and enabling us to defend ourselves in international forum. We are asking for recognition, for equality, for justice. And we know that Africa, with its proud history of liberation, cannot stay silent," the diplomat stressed

As the international community grapples with the legal and moral questions raised by the war in Gaza, the ambassador's message was clear: The Palestinian people are seeking not sympathy but solidarity and they are turning to Africa for leadership on the global stage.

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