US veto halts Palestinian UN membership bid in Security Council

The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for Palestine to be admitted as a full UN member state, despite growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from Israel’s military offensive. Twelve countries voted in favor, but the U.S. veto blocked the resolution’s passage, maintaining its stance that Palestinian statehood must result from direct peace negotiations with Israel. The Palestinian UN ambassador vowed persistent efforts for statehood, calling it “inevitable” amid tears over the veto. (photo/reuters)