General Assembly backs Palestine in its bid for full UN membership

S'pore among 143 members that back bid; Israel, US express reservations

- Raul Dancel

The UN General Assembly on May 10 voted to back a Palestinian bid for full UN membership and to gain some additional rights and privileges in the global body.

The resolution in favour of the Palestinians' drive for full UN membership won broad majority support in the 193-member assembly, with 143 in favour and nine against including the United States and Israel - and 25 abstentions.

Singapore voted for the resolution.

In explaining the vote, Singapore's Permanent Representative to the UN Burhan Gafoor said it was "a vote in favour of a negotiated two-state solution at a critical juncture in a very troubled region".

"Both Israel and Palestine have the right to exist and to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries free from threats or acts of force," he said.

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in a separate statement that Singapore is "calling on both Israelis and Palestinians to take that bold but necessary step- return to the negotiating table, seek a two-state solution".

"The alternative is to have endless repeated cycles of violence and retribution," said Dr Balakrishnan.