Spain’s PM urges full UN membership for Palestine

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has renewed his call for Palestine to be admitted as a full member of the United Nations.

Speaking at a UN pre-assembly meeting in New York after a French-led summit on recognition, Sanchez said: “This conference marks a milestone, but it’s not the end of the road. It’s only the beginning. The state of Palestine must be a full member of the United Nations. The process for the state of Palestine to join this organisation must be completed as soon as possible, on an equal footing with other states.”

Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, formally recognised the state of Palestine in May.

Currently, Palestine is recognised by around three-quarters of the UN’s 193 member states, but holds only “permanent observer state” status, which allows participation in debates but no voting rights.